Skepticism in Greece, Macedonia against name deal

ATHENS: Greeks and Macedonians expressed skepticism yesterday over a proposed compromise deal to end a nearly three-decade name row between their countries which had blocked Skopje’s bid to join the EU and NATO. The leaders of the neighboring countries hailed a “historic” agreement on Tuesday to rename the tiny Balkan nation the Republic of North Macedonia after months of intensive talks. However there was some backlash to the new name in both nations.

Greece’s main opposition branded the deal a “national retreat”, while Macedonia’s nationalist President Gjorge Ivanov stormed out of a meeting with the prime minister and foreign minister in protest. “President Ivanov interrupted the meeting and left refusing to talk about the benefits of this historic agreement on the

Macedonian future,” Macedonia’s government said. There was also reluctance in the capital Skopje. “We went too far, we allowed too much,” said Suzana Turundzieva, a 46-year-old retail worker.

Greece has long objected to its northern neighbor being called Macedonia because it has its own northern province of the same name, which in ancient times was the cradle of Alexander the Great’s empire, a point of pride to Greeks today. Ending the 27-year dispute would pave the way for Macedonia’s bids to join the European Union and NATO, which - if successful - officials say would help stabilize the region. The breakthrough was quickly welcomed by the United Nations, NATO and the EU, with European Council president Donald Tusk tweeting: “Thanks to you the impossible is becoming possible.”

‘A trick’ However both governments face significant hurdles at home over the deal, with the countries’ main opposition parties refusing to support it. Street protests have also been held in Greece and Macedonia against any compromise, and additional demonstrations are expected in Greece in the coming days. Even Greeks who admit the row had gone on too long say the compromise was painful and could still leave their country emptyhanded. “I agree with a heavy heart... because they had left the issue for 26 years and I guess that nothing better could have been done at this point,” said technician Christos Nikolopoulos. “All this is a trick for the Balkans to become a protectorate of NATO,” chafed Vassilis, a 20-year-old waiter.

—AFP THESSALONIKI, Greece: Dancers wearing traditional costumes perform in front of the statue of Alexander III of Macedon, commonly known as Alexander the Great, on Tuesday.