The referendum question approved by 68 out of 120 lawmakers on Monday closely links the name-change to Macedonia’s ambitions of stronger ties with the West. After the deal was struck in June, NATO said Macedonia would be eligible to join the alliance if its new name is accepted by the public. The European Union, for its part, said last month that accession negotiations would not begin before June 2019. But progress in resolving the dispute has been challenged by hardliners and large protests in both countries. Athens has also accused Russia — who is strongly opposed to Macedonia’s NATO ambitions — of trying to sabotage the accord by encouraging demonstrations.

Source: Punch July 30, 2018 16:18 UTC