[ad_1]
The Macedonian Parliament paved the way for a change of name of the country to "Republic of Macedonia of the North" on Friday. He accepted the government's proposal to launch the process of constitutional changes, said a speaker of Parliament.
According to an AFP journalist in parliament, 80 of 120 deputies voted in favor of the government's proposal, obtaining the required two-thirds majority. As a result, the state of the Balkans should be called North Macedonia in the future. 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 big step for the entry into force of the historic agreement (between Athens and Skopje) has been reached," Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said via Twitter. "We continue on the path of peace, friendship and cooperation in the Balkans," he added.
Other votes needed
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.
(Roy / SDA / afp)
Source link
