Hundreds of thousands of Greeks have demonstrated against name of ir neighbouring country, Republic of Macedonia. In north of Greece re is a region that is also called Macedonia. That’s why many Greeks are against it. The demonstrators shouted “Macedonia is Greek and only Greek” and wore posters with inscription “Hands away from Macedonia!”. “I stand here for Macedonia. Macedonia is ours, it is part of Greece. We don’t let m take it away from us, “cried a 72-year-old who waved a Greek flag.
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Policemen estimated number of demonstrators at first to several hundred thousand, later to about 140,000. The organizers spoke of nearly a million, according to Greek journalists, about 300,000 demonstrators came. It was one of biggest rallies of recent years in Ans.
Because of dispute, Greece is hindering Macedonia’s efforts to join EU and NATO. The leftist governments of both countries want to solve problem this year and have recently negotiated a possible compromise. Greece had suggested that Republic of Macedonia could use a composite name, for example to add an addition such as new or North.
According to opinion polls, however, a majority of Greeks reject any use of term Macedonia by neighbouring state. In Macedonia, too, proposals triggered Greece’s protest.
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The name dispute has existed since 1991, when Macedonia gained its independence from Yugoslavia. According to Greeks, ancient kingdom of Macedonia, with ruler of Alexander Great, is an integral part of country and cultural heritage. In addition, use of name Macedonia signifies territorial claims to Greek province of Macedonia.
Macedonian representatives argue that ir country has been known as Macedonia for a long time. The country is recognised by international institutions as “former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”. Some 130 countries simply call it Macedonia. Many Greeks call it country with name of capital Skopje.
