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The Macedonian parliament paved the way for a new state name. With a two-thirds majority, the parliament decided Friday night in Skopje to make the appropriate constitutional amendments. The Balkan state should now be called North Macedonia. Neighboring Greece exists because of its eponymous province in the north of the country for almost three decades on the name change. As a means of pressure, Athens had blocked any rapprochement of Macedonia with NATO and the EU.
Athens immediately accepted the decision. "The first major step for the entry into force of the historic agreement (between Athens and Skopje) has been reached," said Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos in the Twitter short message service. "We continue on the path of peace, friendship and cooperation in the Balkans," he added.
Parliament decision authorizing admission to NATO
The head of the Macedonian government, Zoran Zaev, made possible, thanks to the decision of the Parliament, the rapid admission of his country into NATO. This was preceded by a weeklong fight to train opposition members in the government. The opposition rejects the name change because it sacrifices the country's national identity. Zaev's camp had only 71 votes in parliament recently. Necessary were 80 votes, which were reached now.
The constitutional amendments contemplated with the new name of the state must be approved at the end of the procedure now open with the vote of at least 80 of the 120 deputies. Greece must accept the agreement between the two countries last summer in Parliament. Also in Athens, there are problems to find a majority. (dpa)
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