Macedonian parliament agrees to change country's name, paving way to EU membership

Macedonia's parliament passed an amendment to the constitution on Friday to rename the countryRepublic of North Macedonia, a move which formally ends a 27-year dispute with Greece.

Eighty-one deputies in the 120-seat parliament voted infavour of the change. Representatives of the opposition conservative VMRO-DPMNE party, whosaid the agreement concedes too much to Greece, boycotted the vote. Party leader Hristjan Mickoskicalled the name change "an act of treason."

Greek and Macedonian leadersstruck adeal on the new name in June, butMacedonia will start using it only after lawmakers in Greecealso ratifythe agreement.

Greece has repeatedly blocked its neighbour's aspirations to join the EU and NATOover the use of "Macedonia," which Athens says impliesterritorial claims over the Greekprovince of Macedonia and an appropriation of ancient Greekculture and civilization.

Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev had required a minimum 80 votes to have the changes ratified.

"A better deal could not be reached, and without an agreement with Greece there will be no NATO and European Union (membership)," Zaev said.

At the start of the parliamentary session, hetold deputies the name change was a tough but necessary decision that would "open the doorsto the future, Macedonia's European future," and to joining theNorth Atlantic military alliance.

NATO head JensStoltenberg said in a tweet that the name change deal is "an important contribution to a stable and prosperous region."

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the bloc strongly supports the deal and "remains firmly committed to continue to fully support and accompany (Macedonia) towards its common strategic goal of EU integration."

Western governments see Macedonia's NATO accession as a key step toward limiting Russian influence in the region.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who congratulated Zaev in a phone call following Friday's successful vote, has previously said once Greece is formally notified by Macedonia of the constitutional changes, he will swiftly launch the process of ratifying the agreement in Greece's parliament.

The junior coalition partner in Greece's government opposes the deal, but Tsiprashas voiced confidence he will be able to secure ratification with the backing of opposition lawmakers.

Neighbouring Albania'sforeign minister also congratulated Macedonia on the vote, which he called"a clear demonstration of statesmanship" that would unlock a path to the EU and NATO.Ethnic Albanians make up about one-quarter of Macedonia's 2.1 million people.

Several hundred people have protested against the deal infront of parliament over the past three days.