While Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Prime Minister Zoran Zaev declares his optimism in the lead up to the third and final vote on the Prespes accord, the president of the country, Gjorge Ivanov, urges lawmakers to reject the agreement.
According to the deal, FYROM will have to amend its constitution and change its name to ‘North Macedonia’ in order to be accepted into NATO and the EU.
Such a move “will erase our country’s national identity”, Ivanov claimed saying it is FYROM that will “pay the highest price” for it.
The FYROM name accord saga has also been casting its shadow on the Greek parliament with vice president of the Independent Greeks (ANEL) party, Panayiotis Sgouridis, claiming that the deal’s ratification by the Greek Parliament could be delayed due to a potential clash withTurkey during a radio interview.
Greece’s main opposition party New Democracy, denounced his remarks via spokesperson and shadow foreign minister Giorgos Koumoutsakos who called the comments “inconceivable” deeming it absurd to link the Prespes accords’ fate to a potential clash with Turkey.
“Such expose Greece internationally, as they raise reasonable questions about the way the government is handling the vital interests of the country,” Mr Koumoutsakos said.
Mr Sgouridis’ remarks were also condemned by Greece’s defense minister and leader of junior coalition party, Panos Kammenos who dubbed them “fantasy theories”.
“Greece is the most secure country in the region which respects international law and the rules of good-neighborly relations,” Mr Kammenos stressed.
As a result, Mr Sgouridis submitted his resignation which was not accepted, Skai TV reported.