A U.N. envoy has congratulated Macedonia after its parliament approved a deal with Greece

5years ago

A U.N envoy congratulated Macedonia after its parliament approved an agreement with Greece to rename the country, Northern Macedonia.

The agreement, which Greece has not yet ratified, paves the way for "a stronger foundation for peace and security in the Balkans," said Matthew Nemitz in a statement.

The change of name comes after 27 years of conflict, with Greece complaining that the name of Macedonia involves claims for its territory and its cultural heritage.

Nimetz is the personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General in the name dispute since 1999 and President Bill Clinton's special envoy as a mediator in the same dispute from March 1994 to September 1995.

Macedonia has agreed to the agreement on Friday, while the Greek parliament is expected to vote before March.