Sinn Féin’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Seán Crowe TD, has welcomed the historic deal between the Governments of Greece and Macedonia to finally end the 27 year old name dispute between the two countries.

When the former Yugoslavia collapsed, Greece objected to the name Macedonia for the new republic being established on its northern borders because the name Macedonia already belonged to the northern region of Greece. It was feared that the new emerging Republic would try place territorial claims on this Macedonian region.

Deputy Crowe said:

“I want to warmly welcome the historic deal to end this decades long name dispute with the agreement that the Republic of Macedonia will now be known as Northern Macedonia (Severna Makedonja).

“I want to congratulate the two Prime Ministers, Alexis Tsipras and Zoran Zaev, for the leadership they have shown on this issue.

“This historic agreement signals a new era for bilateral relations between the two countries. I hope it will work towards healing the wounds caused by the wars and the dissolution of Yugoslavia and reconciliation between these two countries.

“The deal now needs to be passed by referendum in Macedonia and by both Parliaments. I wish both Governments every success in this process.”

ENDS