NATO, EU, US Hail Macedonia Vote As Key Step On Western Path
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published October 21, 2018 | 12:14 AM
NATO, the European Union and the US on Saturday hailed a Macedonian parliament vote as another step toward ending a decades-long name row with Greece that takes the small country closer to joining their Western clubs.
Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Oct, 2018 ) :NATO, the European Union and the US on Saturday hailed a Macedonian parliament vote as another step toward ending a decades-long name row with Greece that takes the small country closer to joining their Western clubs.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini welcomed the close vote late Friday to start the process of renaming the country North Macedonia -- a move that EU and NATO member Greece also hailed.
"It's up to the government & political leaders to complete national procedures on the name agreement & seize this historic opportunity to bring the country into #NATO," Stoltenberg tweeted after the vote.
"We now expect the national procedures for the implementation of the agreement to continue without any delays, towards the adoption of the constitutional changes," Mogherini and fellow EU official Johannes Hahn said in a statement.
In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert welcomed the decision by Macedonia's parliament "to initiate the constitutional changes needed to implement" the agreement with Greece.
She called it an "historic opportunity to advance stability, security and prosperity throughout the region.
" Amendments will now be drafted in the capital Skopje to incorporate the new name into the constitution, after which another parliamentary vote will be required to enshrine the changes.
Under the accord, which Prime Minister Zoran Zaev struck with his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras in June, the Balkan state would rename itself North Macedonia. In exchange, Athens has promised to stop blocking its entry into NATO and the EU.
Greece has stood in Macedonia's way for 27 years in protest at the country's name, which it argues is an encroachment on its own province called Macedonia.
Mogherini and Hahn, the European commissioner who oversees talks to bring new members into the 28-nation bloc, said the vote underscored the determination and courage of both sides to resolve their long dispute.
"This is a truly unique opportunity for decisively moving the country forward on its European Union path as well as for reconciliation in the region," Mogherini and Hahn said.
"The European Union will continue to fully support and accompany the country, all its citizens and its institutions."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Zhao Shirin calls on Punjab Industries Minister
Immunization campaign to protect children from deadly diseases in full swing
Action taken against officers not recovering 85% tax: Secretary
Haiti transitional council sworn in after months of violence
IHC adjourns cipher case hearing against PTI founder till April 20,
Ukrainian village battles mines year after Russia forced out
Collective efforts needed to curb terrorism: Barrister Saif
China's Shenzhou-18 mission takes off bound for space station
Police arrest 4 suspects, recovered phones, bikes
Thousands of flights scrapped as French air traffic controllers strike
WWB directed to identify board’s land for revenue generation
Poverty to be ended by establishing border markets: Balochistan Governor
More Stories From World
-
Haiti transitional council sworn in after months of violence
2 minutes ago -
Ukrainian village battles mines year after Russia forced out
10 minutes ago -
China's Shenzhou-18 mission takes off bound for space station
2 minutes ago -
Thousands of flights scrapped as French air traffic controllers strike
4 minutes ago -
India's IndiGo to buy 30 A350 planes: Airbus
4 minutes ago -
Scottish leader scraps coalition deal with Greens
10 minutes ago
-
Paris landmark Moulin Rouge's windmill sails collapse
19 minutes ago -
155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains lash East Africa
19 minutes ago -
Heatstroke kills 30 in Thailand this year as Southeast Asia bakes
2 minutes ago -
China's Shenzhou-18 mission takes off bound for space station
1 minute ago -
Car giants vie for EV crown at Beijing's Auto China show
41 seconds ago -
US economic growth slows significantly in first quarter
36 minutes ago