By Slav Okov and Elizabeth Konstantinova

By Slav Okov and Elizabeth Konstantinova
June 26, 2018, 3:36 AM EDT Updated on June 26, 2018, 1:47 PM EDT

Parliament may overturn Ivanov’s veto as early as next week
EU’s Hahn says Skopje, Tirana may start entry talks in 2019

The Republic of Macedonia’s president rejected an agreement with Greece on the nation’s new name in what could prove to be a temporary hurdle in the ex-Yugoslav nation’s NATO and European Union accession plans. The EU said membership talks may start next year.

The veto by opposition-backed President Gjorge Ivanov, who said on Tuesday he wouldn’t sign the accord, may be overturned in parliament as early as next week. The legislature’s approval to call the country the Republic of North Macedonia is crucial for Prime Minister Zoran Zaev to proceed with a plan to hold a referendum this fall.

The agreement violates the constitution and “puts the Republic of Macedonia in subordination to and dependence on another state,” Ivanov said in an emailed statement.


Zaev needs wide public support to pass a constitutional amendment in exchange for Greece to stop blocking the country’s aspirations of joining the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Greece believes the name ‘Macedonia’ is a territorial claim over its northern province with the same label. The premier expects to receive invitations to start entry talks with both within weeks.

“The president’s decision was anticipated, but it won’t affect the stages of the agreement’s approval, because the citizens will have the final decision,” government spokesman Mile Boshniakovski said by phone from Skopje. “The cabinet in Athens already sent letters to the EU and NATO to support us for this week’s EU meeting and the NATO summit on July 12.”

If the legal procedures are completed, the EU may start entry talks with the country, along with Albania, in June 2019, according to a statement following a meeting of European affairs ministers in Luxembourg on Tuesday.

“The Council agrees to respond positively to the above progress made by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and sets out the path towards opening accession negotiations,” the EU said.

Starting negotiations would help “create a positive climate to complete the tasks envisaged” in the name deal with Greece and push ahead with reforms, Zaev said in a letter sent to his EU counterparts, urging them to support his country’s bid to join the union.


https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-26/republic-of-macedonia-s-president-vetoes-name-deal-with-greece


ALSO SEE

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-macedonia-greece-name/macedonian-president-refuses-to-sign-law-on-countrys-name-change-idUSKBN1JM0W2

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/macedonia-s-president-says-he-won-t-sign-deal-rename-n882971

https://sputniknews.com/europe/201806261065780658-macedonia-name-change/

http://www.businessinsider.com/macedonia-president-rejects-name-change-deal-2018-6
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-26/republic-of-macedonia-s-president-vetoes-name-deal-with-greece