A proposal by Macedonia to hold a referendum on adding the word “North” to the country’s name has been agreed with Greece, but sparked rioting on the streets of Greek city Thessaloniki this week.
Police were forced to use tear gas to disperse thousands of masked protestors angered over the issue as the town hosted Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras, there to make an address on his country’s economic prospects.
But why is the proposal by Greece’s neighbour to rename itself the Republic of North Macedonia so controversial?
Greeks, particularly right-wing nationalist politicians, have long argued that only the northern Greek region of Macedonia - site of the ancient kingdom of Macedon - should be entitled to use the name and not the separate country to its north, which has been officially known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
They fear the proposed name-change – agreed in principle on 12 June - represents the first stage in their neighbour making a claim to Greek territory and argue that a Slavic country should not allowed to designate itself “Macedonia” at all.
On 30 September Macedonians will go to the polls where they will be asked: “Are you in favour of Nato and EU membership, and accepting the name agreement between the republic of Macedonia and Greece?”
Macedonians will approach the ballot box knowing that a “yes” vote is crucial to ensuring Greece does not veto their nation’s applications to join the EU and Nato.
Locals meanwhile resent having the terms of their entry to those international communities and the increased security they promise dictated by a foreign power.
The debate has raged for 27 years and the signing of the initial agreement was hailed as “an appointment with history” by Mr Tsipras and by Macedonia prime minister Zoran Zaev as a chance for the pair to reset relations and become “partners and allies”.
The men also expressed hope their example would inspire other Balkan states to resolve their own post-Cold War regional disputes.
In January this year, Macedonia said it would rename Skopje’s Alexander the Great airport, a further annoyance to Greeks concerned about cultural appropriation and claims being made on its heroes of antiquity.
A motorway running to the border also named after the famous conqueror has been rechristened “Friendship Highway” in the same spirit of reconciliation.
