FYROM protocol signed at NATO HQ

Accession process under way with ratification to come before Greek Parl’t tomorrow

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov yesterday signed an accession protocol at the alliance’s Brussels headquarters, bringing the Balkan nation one step closer to joining NATO.

“This is a historic occasion,” Stoltenberg said, adding that FYROM’s accession would bring “more stability to the Western Balkans.” “We have waited for you to join our family for a long time,” the NATO chief said.

Dimitrov hailed a “historic day,” adding that the outcome was “the result of the work of many generations.” NATO membership would secure “peace and stability” for his country, he said.

The signing ceremony marks the start of a ratification process that could take months. Greece will be the first country whose MPs will be called upon to ratify the protocol with a vote expected in the House tomorrow.

Ahead of the vote, which is all but certain to pass, the leader of Independent Greeks (ANEL), Panos Kammenos, said in a tweet yesterday that Article 5 of the NATO accession protocol cedes Greek sovereignty and as such must be ratified with a 180 majority in the 300-seat Parliament or else its approval by a simple majority will be unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, the writing is on the wall for the survival of ANEL’s parliamentary group, with the expected departure of its MP Thanasis Papachristopoulos, who will either be expelled by Kammenos during today’s emergency meeting or resign after the accession protocol is ratified.