On Wednesday (18.07.2018), the Prime Minister of Macedonia revealed referendum questions regarding the name of Macedonia. After a meeting with main political parties, Zoran Zaev enunciated that the referendum question would be: "Are you in favour of membership in the European Union and NATO by accepting the deal between the Republic of Macedonia and Republic of Greece?". Zaev said the referendum will be “consultative,” but also added that “the people’s say will be final for all political parties.” 17th of June Greek and Macedonian foreign ministers signed the agreement at the banks of the Prespa Lake District in northern Greece, during a ceremony attended by Alexis Tsipras and Zoran Zaev of Macedonia. The ceremony formalized agreement which was the culmination of a 27-year dispute between the two countries about the name of Macedonia and it is a chance to open the path of Macedonia to the NATO structures. Athens decided to recognize Macedonia as the "Republic of Northern Macedonia". In June the agreement was voted in favour in parliament but President of Macedonia Ǵorge Ivanov refused to sign the ratified agreement saying it violates the constitution. On 5th of July Macedonia’s parliament endorsed a landmark agreement with Greece again in order to change the ex-Yugoslav republic’s name. At least 69 lawmakers out of the 70 who were present in the 120-member parliament voted in favour and the document was adopted. Zoran Zaev will have to convince the Macedonian society to change the name. But the public opinion is significantly divided. Some are convinced that the agreement with Greece is the only way for Macedonia to develop. Others refer to the difficult history of their state, which won its independence and identity. Prime Minister of Greece will also has to convince the public opinion to the agreement with Macedonia. The society is opposed to negotiations and does not want “Macedonia” to be included in the name they argued the term "Macedonia" implied territorial claims on its own northern province of the same name (birthplace of the ancient warrior king Alexander the Great) and usurped ancient Greek history. The rate is high because last week NATO leaders formally invited Macedonia to start membership talks but with the condition that membership will not be completed until the name deal is fully implemented. Zuzanna Sielska Read more about Macedonia: http://www.journals.us.edu.pl/index.php/PP/article/view/6963/5231
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AuthorBoth authors are Slovenian and Croatian Archives
July 2019
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