Demonstrations in Athens Breakout against Greece-Macedonia Name Deal

By: Maydaa Abo El-Nadar

Athens, Jan. 21 (SEE) - Demonstrations, against the Greek-Macedonia name deal, broke out on Sunday in the Greek capital of Athens.

Outside the parliament overlooking Syntagma Square, demonstrators threw objects including rocks, flares, firebombs, iron bars, wooden clubs, and paint at police who responded by tear gas. Reports mentioned that at least 25 police officers were injured, while seven inpiduals were arrested.

The dispute between Greece and Macedonia dates back to 1991 when Yugoslavia collapsed and was pided into several countries including Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia. Greece claimed that using Macedonia as the name of the country is culturally and territorially inappropriate. So the country was then formally known at the UN as Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

After almost 27 years of conflict, negotiations, talks, and protests, Greece has reached a deal with its northern neighbor about naming the country Republic of North Macedonia. In January 2019, Macedonia approved changing of the name.

Sunday’s demonstrations gathered numerous Greek citizens who came from all over the country, calming that Macedonia is Greek. In solidarity with the protestors, Greek farmers in northern Greece temporarily blocked the highway leading to Macedonia.

A Greek citizen, who preferred to keep his identity, told SEE “We are against the Greece-Macedonia name agreement, but unfortunately it seems that it would be approved.” Another one, who also preferred to keep his identity, further explained: “FYROM was a very small part of the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia affiliated to Greece and its history.”