German FM says Prespes Agreement is 'good news' for Europe

The agreement reached between Athens and Skopje to rename the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) has "opened a new page" for the two countries and is "good news" for Europe, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in an interview with Kathimerini, published on Sunday.

Maas said he was "very impressed" by the "patience and resilience" Athens and Skopje showed as they worked to find a solution to the 27-year-old name issue.

"If the agreement is implemented, it will not only be a success for your countries, but also for those who believe in the power of diplomacy and reconciliation," he said.

Maas, in his first visit to Athens as foreign minister, discussed the Greece-FYROM name deal and developments in the Balkans with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias and the leader of the main opposition, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, among others.

The German...