The Dynamics of the Name Issue of the Republic of Macedonia

Abstract

The name dispute mainly with Greece, which does not accept the simple name "Republic of Macedonia" with the claim that there is an area named Macedonia with Thessaloniki as a capital, have continued since the break-up of Yugoslavia and up to this day with Greece. The name issue is one of the biggest obstacles for the Republic of Macedonia to join the EU and NATO. Many negotiations have failed for finding names, ranging as the Republic of Skopje, the Republic of North Macedonia, and to the idea of disintegration of the country. It was expected that solving the contest name with Greece to take on a new dynamism after the elections when Prime Minister Zaev stated that this issue will end very soon and will be decided by referendum, but still the issue of Macedonia's name is nor in the east nor in the west. On the other hand, the citizens generally express their revolt to the governmental policies that this issue and many others are used by political parties during the electoral campaign accusing each other which of the political parties has done more for the national interests. So, this segment continues to be considered only on political parties agendas and platforms for years and accusing each other of not realizing it. The Prime Minister Zaev said that the country is closer than ever before, in order to resolve this problem, where negotiations are continuing to be held in order to achieve a mutually acceptable solution for both countries. The pressures of the international factor are in the direction of strengthening internal stability and preventing any possible conflict in Macedonia. This pressure is evident, but the question is how much it will work?!