The Interim Agreement of 1995 between Macedonia and Greece was a significant event in the history of both countries. This agreement, which is also known as the Interim Accord, resolved a longstanding dispute over the name of the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia.
Macedonia, which declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, was recognized by the international community as the “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” (FYROM). However, Greece objected to the use of the name “Macedonia,” arguing that it implied a territorial claim on the northern Greek region of the same name.
The dispute between Macedonia and Greece escalated in the early 1990s, with Greece imposing a trade embargo on Macedonia and blocking its accession to international organizations. The United Nations became involved in the dispute, and in 1995, the two countries signed the Interim Agreement under the auspices of the UN.
The Interim Agreement established a framework for resolving the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece. Under the agreement, Macedonia agreed to use the name “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” in international organizations until a mutually acceptable solution could be reached.
In return, Greece agreed to lift its trade embargo on Macedonia and support its accession to international organizations, including the United Nations. The agreement also established a joint commission to explore options for resolving the name dispute, including the possibility of adopting a different name for Macedonia.
The Interim Agreement was a significant breakthrough in the dispute between Macedonia and Greece. It helped to normalize relations between the two countries and paved the way for Macedonia`s accession to international organizations, including the United Nations and NATO.
However, the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece remained unresolved for many years after the Interim Agreement was signed. In 2018, the two countries finally reached a historic agreement to change the name of Macedonia to the “Republic of North Macedonia.”
In conclusion, the Interim Agreement of 1995 was a crucial step in resolving the long-standing dispute between Macedonia and Greece over the name of the former Yugoslav republic. The agreement helped to normalize relations between the two countries and paved the way for Macedonia`s accession to international organizations. Although the name dispute took many years to resolve, the Interim Agreement was a significant milestone in the process of finding a mutually acceptable solution.