5000 Protest in Skopje over Macedonia Name Dispute with Greece

World | February 28, 2008, Thursday // 00:00
5000 Protest in Skopje over Macedonia Name Dispute with Greece About 5,000 people demonstrated late Wednesday in Skopje against any change to Macedonia's name demanded by Greece. Photo by BGNES

About 5,000 people demonstrated late Wednesday in Skopje against any change to Macedonia's name demanded by Greece, which says the name could provoke more territorial claims on the Balkans.

According to protesters, Macedonia should stop any negotiations with Greece over the name issue, which was actually absurd and could not threaten security in any way, France Presse reported.

At the same time Greece vows to veto Macedonia's effort to join NATO unless a solution is reached, saying the name issue is a vehicle that aims at annexing the northern Greek province of Macedonia.

Representatives at the United Nations from Greece and Macedonia are to meet in New York on Friday, to continue negotiations.

Greek media reported earlier in the month that the UN proposed five alternative names to Macedonia, which are: Constitutional Republic of Macedonia, Democratic Republic of Macedonia, Independent Republic of Macedonia, New Republic of Macedonia, and Republic of Upper Macedonia.

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