NEIGHBOURS SETTLE ON NAME

ATHENS The prime ministers of Greece and Macedonia s have agreed on “Republic of Northern Macedonia” as the new name for the Balkan country, ending a bitter 27-year dispute that had prevented the former Yugoslav republic from joining international institutions such as NATO.

Greece had long demanded that Macedonia change or modify its name to avoid any claim to the territory and ancient heritage of Greece’s northern region of Macedonia — birthplace of ancient warrior king Alexander the Great.