The Macedonian and Greek foreign ministers said Friday their countries have entered into "essential" negotiations to resolve a decades-long dispute over Macedonia's name. Nikola Dimitrov and Nikos Kotzias said during a joint news conference in the Macedonian capital Skopje that a solution is needed as an "investment for the future." Greece's foreign minister, who was on a two-day visit to Macedonia, was also to meet with the country's prime minister and opposition leaders before returning to Athens later Friday. The dispute has prevented Macedonia, which gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, from joining NATO and the European Union. Dozens of people protested outside the foreign ministry Friday, demanding Macedonia end talks over the name issue.

Source: ABC News March 23, 2018 11:51 UTC