NATO invites Macedonia to join alliance after name deal

World
Europe

NATO leaders invited Macedonia on Wednesday to start talks to join the alliance, one month after Skopje struck a historic deal with Greece settling a long-running dispute over the country's name.

"We have decided to invite the government in Skopje to begin accession talks to join our alliance," the NATO leaders said in a communique at their summit in Brussels.

Macedonia will become the alliance’s 30th member, provided its new name is approved in a referendum later this year.

Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev (L) and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (R) pose for pictures before the signing of an accord to settle the former Yugoslav republic's name in Psarades, Greece, June 17, 2018. /VCG Photo

Under the accord with Greece, the official name of the country is to become "Republic of North Macedonia", resolving a dispute that has poisoned relations between the two countries since 1991.

"Once all national procedures have been completed to finalize the name agreement, the country will join NATO as our 30th member," NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said after leaders approved the move in Brussels.

Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev hailed the announcement as a "great, historic day" for his country. "Our partners and friends today acknowledge us. Our strong commitment is recognized, and all criteria are met.

"Today is a great, a historic day for the Republic of Macedonia. I promise that we will bring more good news in the period ahead, in the interests of all citizens of our country. The doors towards NATO are now open."

Demonstrators wave flags in front of the parliament in Skopje during a protest against the country's new name, the Republic of North Macedonia, June 23, 2018. /VCG Photo

Countries hoping to join NATO must win unanimous approval from existing members and Greece blocked Macedonia's bid 10 years ago because of the name row.

Athens insisted Macedonia should change its name because one of its own provinces has the same one, and it feared a territorial claim on it by Skopje.

Macedonia follows in the footsteps of other Balkan states like Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Romania, and Slovenia, as well as neighbor Greece, in joining NATO.

The small country of two million will bring to NATO an 8,500-strong military, which relies on a mixture of Russian, German, Greek and US tanks and armored vehicles. Its aviation has no combat jets.

(Top picture: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (L) and Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev (R) pose during a joint press conference in Skopje, Macedonia, January 18, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters