Macedonia is poised to join NATO and the European Union following the Greek Parliament’s ratification of an agreement to change its neighbour’s name to the Republic of North Macedonia, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a press release on Friday.
WASHINGTON ( Sputnik – 26th January 2019) Macedonia is poised to join NATO and the European Union following the Greek Parliament‘s ratification of an agreement to change its neighbour’s name to the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a press release on Friday.
“The leaders of Greece demonstrated vision, courage, and persistence in their pursuit of a solution to the name dispute, which will allow the future Republic of North Macedonia to take its rightful place in NATO and the EU,” Pompeo said. (Press Release)
Earlier on Friday, the Greek parliament narrowly approved Macedonia‘s name and identity change on a 153-146 vote.
Under the so-called Prespa deal, Macedonia changes its name and identity, and Greece drops its objections to NATO and EU membership. Macedonia‘s legislature earlier approved constitutional amendments to implement the Prespa agreement in the country’s constitution.
The US- and EU-supported Prespa agreement remains unpopular among the vast majority in Macedonia and Greece, with public opinion polls showing that some two thirds of citizens in both countries opposing the deal.
The World Macedonian Congress said the Prespa agreement is null and void because Macedonia‘s President Gjorge Ivanov has not signed it, but the deal was nevertheless pushed for a vote in Parliament by a government coalition installed in power by the United States and under threat to parliamentarians’ freedom and safety as well as under offers of bribes.
Macedonians overwhelmingly rejected the Prespa agreement as well as NATO and EU membership in a referendum on September 30.
Global Chief Operations Officer & International Vice President for World Macedonian Congress,
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