Gjorge Ivanov

Macedonia PM Defies Low Turnout to Push Name Change

AFP - Macedonia's government vowed Monday to push ahead with changing the country's name to appease Greece and build ties with the West, but opponents said low turnout in a referendum on the move made it illegitimate.

Premier Zoran Zaev wants to rename the Balkan state North Macedonia to end a long-running row with Athens and open a path to EU and NATO membership.

Μinutes of FYROM leaders' deliberations seen by Kathimerini

The minutes seen by Kathimerini of meetings between the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's political party leaders about the negotiations with Greece before the name deal was signed in the Prespes lake district in June, indicate that they thought a deal would be easier to sign with a left-wing government in power in Greece.

A referendum for two countries

If the voters of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia approve of the Prespes agreement in Sunday's referendum, then the political tension that now grips our neighbor will immediately move to Greece. If the enemies of the agreement hold sway, and the majority either votes it down or enough voters stay away, then the Greeks will be absolved of responsibility for what happens next.

FYROM sending mixed signals

Ahead of Sunday's crucial referendum on changing the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), the country's political leadership gave conflicting messages to its citizens Thursday, with President Gjorge Ivanov calling for a boycott and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev urging people to get out and vote.

FYROM president calls name change deal 'flagrant violation of sovereignty'

The president of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is criticizing top US and EU officials for backing a referendum on changing his country's name.

President Gjorge Ivanov urged his compatriots not to vote on Sunday, calling the name change a "noose" and a "flagrant violation of sovereignty."

Merkel Urges Macedonians to Vote in 'Name' Referendum

German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Macedonians to seize the opportunity for a breakthrough in the country's Euro-Atlantic perspective and take part in the forthcoming September 30 referendum on the "name" agreement with Greece.

"Do not stay at home on September 30, on this historic day," Merkel said at a joint press conference with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.

Ahead of Skopje referendum, Trump expresses support for Prespes agreement

US President Donald Trump joined the ranks of international leaders who are supporting the name deal signed by Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the Prespes lake region in June, noting that "it paves the way for Macedonia's membership in both NATO and the EU."

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