webfact Posted January 20, 2019 Share Posted January 20, 2019 Police fire tear gas as Greeks protest against Macedonia name deal By George Georgiopoulos and Michele Kambas Police officers react next to a fire during a demonstration against the agreement reached by Greece and Macedonia to resolve a dispute over the former Yugoslav republic's name, in Athens, Greece, January 20, 2019. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis ATHENS (Reuters) - Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters outside parliament on Sunday as tens of thousands of Greeks rallied in Athens to protest ahead of next week's parliamentary vote to ratify a name deal with Macedonia. Central Athens turned into a sea of people holding blue and white Greek flags as thousands came from all over the country to rally against the accord to name the ex-Yugoslav state North Macedonia. Many Greeks believe the name Macedonia implies a territorial claim over their country's own northern region of that name. The issue evokes strong emotions among Greeks who consider Macedonia, the ancient kingdom ruled by Alexander the Great, to be an integral part of their homeland and heritage. The accord, signed by the two governments, unblocks the ex-Yugoslav republic's desire to join NATO and the European Union once it is ratified by Greece's parliament. "We cannot stomach this deal, to give away our Macedonia, our history," said pensioner Amalia Savrami, 67, as she waved a large Greek flag on Athens's Syntagma Square. "Macedonia is Greek, period." Macedonia declared independence in 1991, avoiding the violence that accompanied much of the break-up of Yugoslavia. Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has sought to accelerate the country's bid to join the EU and NATO and to work on resolving the decades-old name dispute with Greece. Greece had agreed that until the name dispute is resolved, its northern neighbour, with a population of about 2 million, could be referred to internationally as "FYROM" - Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. That is the name under which it was admitted to the United Nations in 1993. Settling the issue would be hailed as a success by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, whose left-right coalition came to power in 2015. He won a confidence motion this month after the junior partner in his coalition pulled out. "The Prespes accord is a historic step not only for the two countries and the broader region, but for Europe as a whole. It cements relations of friendship, cooperation and stability," Tsipras told Sunday's Avgi newspaper. The agreement with Skopje had strained relations with the right-wing Independent Greeks party, his coalition ally, which objected to the use of Macedonia in any agreed name. United Nations diplomat Matthew Nimetz, who has mediated talks between the two countries, said he looked forward to Greece's ratification of the accord after FYROM delivered on related constitutional amendments. "As in the past, the United Nations remains committed to working with the two parties in finally resolving the difference between them," he said in a statement. Greek police said that 10 officers were wounded in clashes with demonstrators after being attacked with stones and petrol bombs. (Additional reporting by Renee Maltezou and Lefteris Papadimas; editing by Janet Lawrence and David Goodman) -- © Copyright Reuters 2019-01-21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fvw53 Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 What is "great" about Alexander the Great ....that he like Genghis Khan created endless wars ...destroying a lot without building anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klauskunkel Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 I am glad to see that Greece's economic problems are over and they now can focus on things that really matter... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benmart Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 3 hours ago, klauskunkel said: I am glad to see that Greece's economic problems are over and they now can focus on things that really matter... The name of the game is to insert agitators and rally against a created scapegoat; so as to detract attention from pathetic misgovernance and financial chaos. It is an old tactic used by leaders for centuries to survive times of political unrest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovesundaysatspace Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 I’m waiting for the first Brexiteer telling us how this is another example for how the EU is doomed ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greyhat Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 Can't wait for the first remoaner to.. never mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovesundaysatspace Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 Didn’t take long for the first to appear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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