17 June 2018•Update: 18 June 2018
By Admir Fazlagikj and Dzihat Aliju
SKOPJE, Macedonia
Hundreds of people took to the streets of capital Skopje on Sunday in protest against the historic deal between Greece and Macedonia over the renaming of Macedonia.
The deal signaled an end to the long-standing dispute between the two countries.
Protesters gathered in front of the parliament and chanted: “Macedonia” and “We will not give up our name”.
They also clashed with security forces, pelting stones at them and lighting up torches.
They eventually left the parliament after police intervened with tear gas.
Earlier on Sunday, Greece and its northern neighbor signed the historic accord that proposes changing Macedonia's name to the Republic of Northern Macedonia, enabling Greece to lift its veto on Macedonia's EU and NATO accession.
Greece, which is both a NATO and EU member, has long opposed the official name of its neighboring country, arguing it has a region by the same name in the north of its country.
The dispute has been one of the main obstacles to Macedonia’s ambition to join NATO and the EU due to the veto power of Greece.
Negotiations between Macedonia and Greece recently stepped up as the new government in Skopje sought progress in its bid to join NATO and the EU.
The deal still needs to be approved by Macedonia's parliament and get confirmed in a referendum.
Despite the dispute between Athens and Skopje, many countries, including Turkey recognize the country as Macedonia.
