Republic of Macedonia has decided to change its name. It agreed on Friday to rename country the Republic of North Macedonia. The name change is result of 27-year dispute with Greece. Macedonia declared independence in 1991 after break-up of former country Yugoslavia. It became member of the United Nations in 1993, but its name caused an argument with Greece. Greece's largest region is also called Macedonia. The Greek government said it owned name "Macedonia". Greece blocked its neighbor's attempts to join EU and NATO over the use of the name "Macedonia". Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said the name change would, "open the doors to future".
The name change comes after decade of talks between Macedonia and Greece. Just over 67 per cent of representatives in Macedonia's parliament voted for name change. Eighty-one MPs voted in favor of name change in the 120-seat parliament. Opposition politicians, who opposed agreement with Greece, boycotted the vote. Several hundred people protested against deal in front of Macedonia's parliament over past three days. opposition leader was angry over the talks to change the country's name. He said: "Look how publicly, how openly, this trade is going on with Macedonia's name and identity - just like at market stall." The next step is for Greece to officially agree to change.
