Macedonia PM urges Greek lawmakers to ratify name deal

SKOPJE: Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev called on Greece to end the two nations’ decades-long dispute by ratifying the deal to rename his country The Republic of North Macedonia.

Macedonian lawmakers approved the agreement late Friday. It now needs backing from the Greek parliament to come into effect.

“Our parliament found the strength but it wasn’t easy. But I am convinced that the Greek parliament will also find the strength to make the decision,” Zaev told a press conference in Skopje.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo welcomed the parliament’s decision, praising the Macedonian leader’s ‘vision, courage and persistence’ in seeking a resolution to the dispute with Greece that would allow it to join Nato and the European Union.

“The United States sees this as a historic opportunity to advance stability, security and prosperity throughout the region,” Pompeo said in a statement. — AFP