ATHENS, June 17 -- Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) sealed a historic agreement on Sunday, putting an end to the dispute which started in 1991 over the use of the name Macedonia.
According to the preliminary accord signed by the two countries' foreign ministers, they agreed to rename the Balkan nation the Republic of North Macedonia, despite strong protests over a deal from both sides.
The signing ceremony, broadcast live on Greek public broadcaster ERT, was hosted on the border at the Prespes lake region.
The move of the two neighboring states potentially paved the way for Skopje's admission to the European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
"We are making an historic step, there will be only winners from now on," Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said at the event.
"So that we can heal the wounds of the past, open a path for peace, friendship, cooperation and growth, not only for our countries, but for all Balkans and Europe," he said as he and his FYROM counterpart Zoran Zaev received a standing ovation from officials at the ceremony.
Both countries have been working towards settling the decades-old dispute over the past months. The issue began in 1991 when FYROM declared its independence from Yugoslavia, choosing the name Macedonia, which is also the name of a northern Greek province.
Athens is worried that the use of the same name by the neighboring state could lead to territorial claims.
"Today we put an end to a problem, we put an end to long-standing differences which were raising walls and cast shadows on our neighborly relations," Zaev said.
Matthew Nimetz, the United Nations (UN) secretary-general's special envoy for the name dispute, called the deal a "fair and honorable" compromise which sets an example to resolve other disputes worldwide.
The ceremony was also attended by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, European Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn and the representative of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo.
Sunday's ceremony was held under draconian security measures as hardliners in both countries object to the deal because they regard it as a national sellout.
2011年实用口语练习:In the library 在图书馆
新东方英语口语开口篇:描述外貌(3)
实用口语情景轻松学:说一说旅行要准备的东西
节日英语口语:十一句话搞定圣诞礼物
奥运会实用英语口语200句:这是一个非常受人欢迎的目的地
实用口语情景轻松学:你能借我点儿钱吗?
实用英语:如何用英语砍价
美国生活必备口语:租房英语大全(1)
口语情景对话:走遍美国精选 二度蜜月ACT 3 - 2
20条地道实用英语句型(2)
口语情景对话:走遍美国精选 当仁不让 ACT 3 - 1
地道口语:如何用英语聊电影
地道口语:“小气鬼”怎么说?
英语口语主题:交际英语热门话题47个(21--生日派对)
老外“精神不好”时会说些什么
实用盘点:赞美他人时必备口语
2011年实用口语练习:背后捅刀
新东方英语口语开口篇:询问称呼(2)
口语情景对话:走遍美国精选 偷得浮生半日闲ACT 3 - 1
学会用英文的感叹句
疯狂口语要素精选 7
实用口语:Nicole's day at school
实用口语:选举 Elections
新东方英语口语开口篇:Age 年龄(4)
疯狂口语要素精选 13
大学新生常用口语:熟悉校园和同学
实用口语情景轻松学:你最喜欢哪个季节?
地道口语:职场必备的五个简单句子
实用口语情景轻松学:你知道怎么申请赴美签证吗?
奥运会实用英语口语200句: 你可以乘火车去上海
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |