Johnson, Shaheen to Introduce Resolution Congratulating North Macedonia, Greece on Renaming Agreement

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) today announced a resolution congratulating the governments of Skopje and Athens on ratifying the Prespa Agreement, resolving a nearly 30-year naming dispute between the countries. The agreement, changing Macedonia’s name to the Republic of North Macedonia, opens a path for the country to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU). North Macedonia is expected to officially notify the United States and the international community of the name change soon.

“I applaud Athens and Skopje for peacefully resolving their naming dispute. This is a historic step that will result in greater stability and security in Southeast Europe,” said Sen. Johnson. “I hope that this accomplishment will add momentum to efforts in the region to settle other long-standing disputes peacefully, and I look forward to welcoming North Macedonia as NATO’s 30th member.”

“Greece’s vote to ratify and recognize The Republic of North Macedonia is a significant step toward securing peace and prosperity in the region, and will have broader implications by opening the door to the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Balkans,” said Sen. Shaheen. “Finding compromise and ending this dispute through diplomacy and peace should be an example to the entire region, and to the global community.”

Full resolution text can be found below.

Congratulating the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of North Macedonia on ratification of the Prespa Agreement, which resolves a long-standing bilateral dispute and establishes a strategic partnership between the 2 countries.

Whereas, in 2017, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev displayed great political courage and leadership by intensifying efforts to resolve a nearly 30-year dispute between the 2 countries;

Whereas, on June 17, 2018, the foreign ministers of the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Macedonia signed the Prespa Agreement, in which, subject to ratification by the parliament of each country, both parties agreed that the official name of the Republic of Macedonia would be changed to the Republic of North Macedonia;

Whereas, on September 30, 2018, the Republic of Macedonia held a consultative referendum on the proposed name change in which over 90 percent of those voting supported joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (referred to in this preamble as “NATO”) and the European Union (referred to in this preamble as the “EU”) by accepting the Prespa Agreement;

Whereas, on January 11, 2019, the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, in accordance with the Prespa Agreement, approved constitutional amendments to change the name of the country to the Republic of North Macedonia;

Whereas, on January 25, 2019, the Hellenic Parliament ratified the Prespa Agreement, pledging not to object to the Republic of North Macedonia joining international organizations, including NATO and the EU;

Whereas the Hellenic Republic is an important ally of the United States, hosting United States Naval Support Activity Souda Bay on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea;

Whereas the Hellenic Republic has been a NATO member since 1952, and has faithfully met the 2 percent of gross domestic product defense-spending goal established at the 2014 Wales NATO Summit;

Whereas the Republic of Macedonia made important contributions to the United States-led Operation Iraqi Freedom and to the International Security Assistance Force of NATO in Afghanistan;

Whereas the Republic of North Macedonia continues to provide soldiers to the Resolute Support Mission of NATO in Afghanistan;

Whereas the Republic of Macedonia joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace in 1995, commenced a NATO Membership Action Plan in 1999, fulfilled the terms necessary for accession to NATO by the 2008 Bucharest Summit, and was invited, in 2018, to begin NATO accession talks;

Whereas the Republic of Macedonia was the first western Balkan country to sign a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, and became an official candidate to join the EU in 2005;

Whereas, in June 2018, the European Council set out the path toward opening EU accession negotiations with the Republic of Macedonia; and

Whereas the resolution of the naming dispute between the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of North Macedonia paves the way for the Republic of North Macedonia to become a member of NATO and the EU: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) congratulates the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of North Macedonia for resolving their nearly 30-year naming disagreement;

(2) commends the leadership and courage of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev;

(3) asserts that the agreement between the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of North Macedonia advances stability, security, and prosperity in Southeast Europe;

(4) supports the integration of the Republic of North Macedonia into Euro-Atlantic institutions, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union; and

(5) encourages other countries in the region to follow the example of the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of North Macedonia in peacefully resolving long-standing disputes.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.