Prespa Agreement: What Happened
On 17 June 2018, Greece and the Republic of Macedonia signed the Prespa Agreement, at Psarades on the shores of Lake Prespa, ending a dispute over the country's name that had lasted since the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991. Greece had objected to its northern neighbor using the name Macedonia, which is also the name of Greece's largest region, home to cities such as Thessaloniki. Many Greeks saw the use of the name and ancient symbols, such as the Vergina Sun, as a claim on Greek history and territory. Because of the dispute, Greece had blocked the neighboring country from joining NATO and the European Union. The agreement was negotiated by the Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras and his counterpart Zoran Zaev. Under its terms, the country was renamed the Republic of North Macedonia, and it recognized that its language and identity were Slavic, unrelated to ancient Greek Macedonia. The agreement was ratified in early 2019 despite large protests in Greece. North Macedonia joined NATO in 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Prespa Agreement?
The Prespa Agreement, signed on 17 June 2018, ended the long dispute between Greece and its northern neighbor over the name Macedonia.
Why did Greece object to the name Macedonia?
Macedonia is also the name of Greece's largest region. Many Greeks saw its use by the neighboring country as a claim on Greek history and territory.
What is the new name of North Macedonia?
Under the agreement, the country was renamed the Republic of North Macedonia and recognized that its language and identity were Slavic, unrelated to ancient Greek Macedonia.
Who signed the Prespa Agreement?
The agreement was negotiated and signed by the Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras and the North Macedonian prime minister Zoran Zaev.
Where was the Prespa Agreement signed?
It was signed at Psarades, a village on the shores of Lake Prespa in the Florina region of northwestern Greece.
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