06.03.2019

North Macedonia & Greece after the Prespa Agreement

06.03.2019, roundtable, 11h - 12h30

Workers cover a sign of the Republic of Macedonia at the border between Macedonia and Greece, REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski

After the parliaments in Athens and Skopje ratified the Prespa agreement, finally the political struggle surrounding the agreement and the new name Republic of North Macedonia can come to an end. This major breakthrough was achieved despite the public opinion in both countries overwhelmingly against the agreement. But the dispute itself is not over. Prespa, in many ways, is just the start, not the end of solving the quarrel between the two nations.
With our discussion we want to shed light on how the name deal was reached, what dynamics played in favour of it and what can be learned from the agreement. Could it provide lessons learned that can be useful for other bilateral issues? We also want to discuss what is next: How can the two societies actually come closer? What can calm down populists in both countries and when can we expect a full implementation of the Prespa Agreement?

Contact: Marco.Schwarz(at)fes-europe.eu