08 Sep 2018 | 05:12 PM UTC
Greece/Macedonia: Further protests in Skopje June 21-22 /update 3
Various civil society and political groups are planning to hold demonstrations outside Macedonia’s Parliament building June 21-22; increased security measures expected
Event
Multiple civil society and political groups are planning to hold demonstrations in Skopje (Macedonia) against the ratification of the agreement with Greece over the country's name on Thursday, June 21, and Friday, June 22. According to the US Embassy in Skopje, the protests will start at 20:00 (local time) outside the Parliament building. An increased security presence and localized traffic disruptions are expected in the area. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.
Context
Similar demonstrations were held on June 17-18. On Wednesday, June 20, Macedonia’s Parliament ratified the agreement with a 69-0 vote. Macedonia's main opposition party, VMRO-DPMNE, boycotted the ratification debate, and President Gjorge Ivanov has threatened to veto the agreement, which would force a revote in parliament. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev agreed on June 12 to rename the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of North Macedonia. If ratified in both countries, the accords would put an end to the long-standing name dispute that prevents Macedonia from gaining NATO and EU membership. Some Greek critics have claimed that the name "Macedonia" connotes aspirations for the territorial annexation of the eponymous northern Greek region, and appropriates the history of ancient Macedonia once ruled by the Greek Alexander the Great.
The agreement has been controversial in both Greece and Macedonia, spurring demonstrations in each country. As many as 1500 people protested in front of the Macedonian parliament in Skopje on June 13 against the agreement. Police reportedly detained ten protesters in Skopje on June 14. The accords also sparked protests in Greece on June 15, in which demonstrators demanded a referendum on the agreement. Protesters vowed to undertake an "unending struggle" against the name change.
Advice
Individuals in the abovementioned areas are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, and avoid discussing sensitive political topics in public.
