Greece, North Macedonia Settle Name Problem

Skopje, North Macedonia —(Map)

On Tuesday, the country of Macedonia officially changed its name to North Macedonia. The change seems small, but it solves a problem that has been going on for almost 30 years.

Long ago, Macedonia was a kingdom. It later became an important part of Greece and played a big part in its history. There is still a large part of Greece called Macedonia, though its shape is different than it was long ago. Greece is proud of Macedonia and its history.

Map showing how modern region of Macedonia touches many countries. — Macedonia, once a kingdom, later became an important part of Greece. Over the years, the borders have changed many times. The dotted line shows how the region of Macedonia touches many modern countries.
(Source: ГоранМирчевски [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons.)

Over the years, the borders that define Greece and the countries around it have changed often. From 1945 to 1991, a country called Yugoslavia was to the north of Greece. One part of Yugoslavia was called Macedonia. That didn’t cause major problems with Greece.

But in 1991, Macedonia separated from Yugoslavia and called itself “The Republic of Macedonia”. The government of Greece didn’t like that. Greece felt like Macedonia was trying to take its history. Greece was already part of the United Nations (UN) and other important groups of countries, and it worked to keep Macedonia from joining these groups.

In 1993, Macedonia was allowed to join the UN, but only using the name “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”. Macedonia wasn’t allowed to join some other groups at all.

OEA - OAS Regular Session of the Permanent Council Ambassador Zoran Jolevski, Permanent Observer, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia — Greece tried to keep Macedonia from joining some groups. Macedonia was allowed into the UN in 1993, but only using the name “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”.
(Source: OEA – OAS, via Flickr.com.)

One of these groups was the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This is a group of countries that joined together to defend each other. It’s an important group, and Macedonia wanted to join. But Greece, which was already a member, refused to let Macedonia join as long as it used the name Macedonia.

The naming problem raises very strong feelings on both sides, and for years it seemed like there would be no solution.

Then, in June of last year, the governments of Greece and Macedonia worked out a deal. Greece agreed not to complain anymore if Macedonia changed its name to North Macedonia.

Macedonians protest against the name change — The change was not popular in either country. This picture shows people in Macedonia protesting against the name change. Protests were also held in Greece.
(Source: Roel Wijnants, via Flickr.com.)

The change was not popular in either country. Macedonia held a special vote on the change. About 90% of the people voting agreed to the name change, but fewer than half of the country’s voters took part.

In Greece, many people think it’s wrong that the name of the country still includes the word “Macedonia”. The Greek Parliament barely passed the agreement.

NATO Allies sign Accession Protocol for the future Republic of North Macedonia. Spiros Lambridis, Permanent representative of Greece congratulating the Foreign Minister of the invitee country, Nikola Dimitrov — On February 12, Macedonia changed its name to North Macedonia. Greece was the first country to sign a paper that will allow North Macedonia to join NATO. In the picture, Spiros Lambridis of Greece (left) congratulates North Macedonia’s Nikola Dimitrov.
(Source: NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization, via Flickr.com.)

Still, both countries moved ahead, and on February 12, Macedonia officially changed its name to North Macedonia.

Greece was the first country to sign a paper that will allow North Macedonia to join NATO. Joining NATO could help North Macedonia in other ways, such as making it easier for the country to join the European Union later on.

NATO Allies sign Accession Protocol for the future Republic of North Macedonia. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Foreign Minister of the invitee country, Nikola Dimitrov — Joining NATO could help North Macedonia in other ways, such as making it easier for the country to join the European Union. North Macedonia’s Nikola Dimitrov (left) shakes hands with NATO leader Jens Stoltenberg.
(Source: NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization, via Flickr.com.)

“This really is a big moment. We have been waiting for 20 years,” said Stevo Pendarovski, who has been leading Macedonia’s effort to join NATO.

Changing the name of a country is not easy, though. Signs saying “Macedonia” around the country are being taken down and replaced with signs saying “North Macedonia”. The name must also be changed on all government buildings, papers, websites, license plates, passports, and even money.