Controversy_between_the_Republic_of_Macedonia_and_Greece Macedonia_(region)

a controversy exists in regard whether or not parts of historic region of macedonia incorporated in present-day republic of macedonia, little if of ancient macedonian kingdom is. there controversy, however, regard slavic peoples concentrated in less half of region. first arrived in late 6th , 7th centuries ad when slavic-speaking populations overturned macedonia s greek ethnic composition. result, appropriation republic of macedonia of greece held greek symbols , raised concerns in greece fuelling nationalist anger. anger reinforced legacy of civil war , view in quarters, members of greece s slavic-speaking minority pro-yugoslavian , presented danger borders. status of republic of macedonia became heated political issue in greece demonstrations took place in athens while 1 million macedonian greeks took streets in thessaloniki in 1992, under slogan: macedonia greek , referring name , ancient history of region, not posing territorial claim against northern neighbor. initially, greek government objected formally use of name macedonia (including derivative names) , use of symbols such vergina sun. on other hand, in 1992, demonstrations more 100,000 ethnic slav macedonians took place in skopje, capital of republic of macedonia, on failure receive recognition , supporting constitutional name of country.

the controversy not nationalist, played out in greece s internal politics. 2 leading greek political parties, ruling conservative new democracy under constantine mitsotakis , socialist pasok under andreas papandreou, sought outbid each other in whipping nationalist sentiment , long-term (rather immediate) threat posed apparent irredentist policies of skopje. complicate matters further, new democracy divided; prime minister, mitsotakis, favored compromise solution on macedonian question, while foreign minister adonis samaras took hard-line approach. 2 fell out , samaras sacked, mitsotakis reserving foreign ministry himself. failed reach agreement on macedonian issue despite united nations mediation; fell power in october 1993, largely result of samaras causing government s majority of 1 fall in september 1993.

when andreas papandreou took power following october 1993 elections, established hard line position on issue. united nations recommended recognition of republic of macedonia under temporary name of former yugoslav republic of macedonia , used internationally while country continued use republic of macedonia constitutional name. united states , european union (therefore, including greece) agreed proposal , duly recognized republic of macedonia. followed new, though smaller demonstrations in greek cities against termed betrayal greece s allies. papandreou supported , encouraged demonstrations, boosting own popularity taking hard line against republic of macedonia. in february 1994, imposed total trade embargo on country, exception of food, medicines , humanitarian aid. effect on republic of macedonia s economy limited, because real damage economy had been caused collapse of yugoslavia , loss of central european markets due war. also, many greeks broke trade embargo entering through bulgaria. however, embargo had bad impact on republic of macedonia s economy country cut off port of thessaloniki , became landlocked because of un embargo on yugoslavia north, , greek embargo south. later, signing of interim accord between greece , republic of macedonia marked increased cooperation between 2 neighboring states. blockade had political cost greece, there little understanding or sympathy country s position, , exasperation on seen greek obstructionism of european union partners. athens criticized in quarters contributing rising tension in balkans, though wars in former yugoslavia seen having been triggered premature recognition of successor republics, move greece had objected beginning. later emerged greece had agreed dissolution of yugoslavia in return eu solidarity on macedonian issue. in 1994, european commission took greece european court of justice in effort overturn embargo, while court provisionally ruled in greece s favor, embargo lifted athens following year before final verdict reached. republic of macedonia , greece enter interim agreement in republic of macedonia agreed remove implied territorial claims greater macedonia region constitution , drop vergina sun flag. in return, greece lifted blockade.

most of countries have recognized republic of macedonia under constitutional name, notably united states, people s republic of china , russia, , neighbours bulgaria, serbia, although country referred in un under provisional reference former yugoslav republic of macedonia , constitutional name used in bilateral relations , in relations state not recognizing constitutional name not party.

discussions continue on greek objection regarding country s name, without resolution far. greek government have linked progress on issue republic of macedonia s accession european union , nato (for more on this, see accession of macedonia european union).

republic of macedonia, croatia , albania qualified join nato , invitation 3 countries planned issued on nato summit in bucharest (romania), in april 2008. before beginning of summit, american president bush said nato make historic decision on admission of 3 balkan nations: croatia, albania , macedonia; , united states supported inviting these nations join nato. however, during summit nato leaders decided not extend membership invitation macedonia because greece vetoed move after dispute on name issue. macedonian representative , negotiator greece in name issue complained republic of macedonia punished not because had failed fulfill nato accession criteria, because had been trying defend national identity. nato leaders agreed extend membership invitation macedonia name issue greece resolved, until no progress has been made in negotiations between republic of macedonia , greece resolve name issue.

in november 2008, republic of macedonia filed lawsuit against greece before international court of justice in hague accusing athens violated interim accord blocking nato membership. in 1995, 2 countries signed agreement macedonia agreed use provisional reference in international organizations, while greece pledged not block macedonia s integration european union , nato.

in march 2009, european parliament expressed support republic of macedonia s eu candidacy , asked eu grant country date start of accession talks end of 2009, regretting country waiting 3 years after country granted candidate status, makes demoralizing effect on macedonia , brings risks of destabilizing whole region. parliament recommended speedy lifting of visa regime country citizens.