SKOPJE (Macedonia), February 6 (SeeNews) – The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) said on Wednesday its member states signed an accession protocol with Macedonia, following a historic agreement between Skopje and Athens to change the name of the former Yugoslav republic.
“The accession process now moves to the capitals of the 29 Allies where the Protocol will be ratified according to national procedures,” NATO said in a statement, after the permanent representatives of the members of the Alliance signed the document at its headquarters in Brussels in the presence of foreign minister Nikola Dimitrov. .
The country, under its new name of Republic of North Macedonia, will become the 30th member of NATO once all allies have ratified the accession protocol, the Alliance noted, adding that Skopje can now take part in NATO activities as an invitee.
“NATO keeps almost one billion citizens across Europe and North America secure and with you [Macedonia] joining NATO there will be thirty countries committed to protect each other. Your accession will bring more stability to the Western Balkans. This is good for the region and for Euro-Atlantic security,” NATO secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said after the signing ceremony.
Stoltenberg congratulated both Skopje and Athens for showing commitment and courage in reaching an agreement on the name issue.
"We are here and we are ready to assume our responsibilities," Macedonia's foreign minister Nikola Dimitrov said before the signing ceremony.
On February 1, the Greek parliament ratified the agreement with Skopje to rename the former Yugoslav republic to North Macedonia, thus unblocking the path for the country to join NATO and the EU.
Last month, Macedonia's parliament endorsed four amendments to the constitution on renaming the country to North Macedonia, delivering on Skopje's commitments under the agreement.
On October 18, NATO launched formal accession talks with Macedonia.
Athens has blocked Macedonia’s attempts to join NATO and the EU for 27 years over the country's name. According to Greece, the name Republic of Macedonia implies territorial claims on the Greek northernmost province of the same name.
Macedonia and Greece signed the agreement on the name change in June.