Greece–Republic of Macedonia relations

Greek–Macedonian relations

Greece

Macedonia

Greece – Macedonia relations refer to the bilateral relations between the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Macedonia.

Greece has a Liaison Office in Skopje and an Office of Consular, Economic and Commercial Affairs in Bitola. [1] Similarly, the Republic of Macedonia maintains a Liaison Office in Athens and an Office for Consular, Economic and Commercial Affairs in Thessaloniki.[2]

Relations

Ever since the Republic of Macedonia broke away from former Yugoslavia, Greece has refused to recognize its name.[3]

The provisional reference the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)[4] is still currently used in relations with Greece. Nevertheless, all United Nations member-states have agreed to accept any final agreement resulting from negotiations between the two countries. The ongoing dispute has not prevented the two countries from enjoying close trade links and investment levels (especially from Greece), but it has generated a great deal of political and academic debate on both sides.

On 13 September 1995 the two countries signed the Interim Accord,[4] whereby Greece recognized the Republic of Macedonia under its provisional reference.[4] As of August 2011 negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute are ongoing. Under Greek pressure, the European Union and NATO agreed that in order for the Republic of Macedonia to receive an invitation to join these institutions the name dispute must be resolved first.[5][6][7] This resulted in a case at the International Court of Justice against Greece for violation of the Interim Accord.[8]

Recently the Greek foreign minister Dimitris Avramopoulos sent a memorandum of understanding to the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Poposki.[9][10]

See also


References