Scepticism, hope as Macedonia set to change its name

Scepticism, hope as Macedonia set to change its name

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The "Republic of Northern Macedonia" - the proposed new name for the country once part of Yugoslavia - is meant to settle a diplomatic standoff with Greece, but will not satisfy some nationalists on either side of the border.

When it declared independence in 1991, many Greeks felt the country had hijacked their ancient cultural heritage as Macedonia is the birthplace of Alexander the Great as well as the name of a province in northern Greece.

. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica
People walk in front of the "warrior on a horse" monument, which is widely believed to depict Alexander the Great.

The new name, agreed by politicians from both countries on Tuesday, should end decades of diplomatic conflict and make it easier for Macedonia to join the European Union and NATO.

But the deal still requires ratification by the two national parliaments and a referendum in Macedonia, and not everyone is inclined to vote "yes".

. Pestani, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica
Marica poses for a portrait in the village of Pestani which sits on the Ohrid lake.

"We are Macedonians and we are not interested in changing our name," said Marica, a housewife from the town of Ohrid.

"For my whole life I've been called Marica, it would be the same as if someone would force me now to change my name."

. Mralino, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica
People travel on a bus in the village of Mralino.

"The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" joined the United Nations in 1993, but most countries have ignored that provisional name and refer to it simply as Macedonia.

. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica
Supporters of opposition party VMRO-DPMNE hold Russian and Macedonian flag as they take part in a protest.

At a protest in Skopje on June 2, people waved Macedonian flags, and the occasional Russian one - indicating their opposition not only to the name change, but also the closer allegiance to the west that is likely to follow.

. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica
Petre poses for a for a portrait near the government building.

"I have nothing good to say about Greeks as they are only creating trouble for us," Petre, a locksmith from Skopje, told Reuters.

"We don't need to join NATO or the EU, this is not in our tradition. As an orthodox Christian, only Putin can save us."

. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica
Maja poses for a portrait.

Many Macedonians, however, welcomed the rapprochement with Greece.

"Greeks are a brotherly nation to us. If there weren't so many aggressive politicians who made this problem between us, our cooperation would be much better," said Maja Canakjevik, a musician and former general manager of the Macedonian Philharmonic.

. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica
Muharem poses for a portrait.

Some Macedonians believe EU and NATO membership could help the economy, others have their doubts.

Muharem, who rents out properties in an old quarter of Skopje, said: "Salaries here are about 200 euros ($235) a month, and I don't think this will change if we join NATO."

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Slideshow

Trees are seen near the Church of St. John the Theologian, Kaneo in Ohrid.
. Ohrid, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

Trees are seen near the Church of St. John the Theologian, Kaneo in Ohrid.

People visit the Church of St. John the Theologian, Kaneo in Ohrid.
. Ohrid, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

People visit the Church of St. John the Theologian, Kaneo in Ohrid.

A man swims in the Ohrid lake in the village of Trpejca.
. Trpejca, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

A man swims in the Ohrid lake in the village of Trpejca.

A couple sits on a bench at the bank of the Vardar river in central Skopje.
. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

A couple sits on a bench at the bank of the Vardar river in central Skopje.

Police officers stand in front of the government building.
. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

Police officers stand in front of the government building.

A Macedonian flag is pictured in front of the "warrior monument" which is widely believed to be a depiction of Philip of Macedon.
. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

A Macedonian flag is pictured in front of the "warrior monument" which is widely believed to be a depiction of Philip of Macedon.

A girl imitates the Mother Teresa monument.
. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

A girl imitates the Mother Teresa monument.

A man holding a child begs for money as he sings religious songs in Stara Carsija (Old Bazaar) part of central Skopje.
. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

A man holding a child begs for money as he sings religious songs in Stara Carsija (Old Bazaar) part of central Skopje.

People sit in a bar in Stara Carsija.
. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

People sit in a bar in Stara Carsija.

A couple sits on a bench.
. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

A couple sits on a bench.

A man walks on the Stone Bridge over the Vardar river.
. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

A man walks on the Stone Bridge over the Vardar river.

People gather near the banks of the Vardar river in front of the Museum of Archaeology.
. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

People gather near the banks of the Vardar river in front of the Museum of Archaeology.

Members of an orchestra perform at Macedonian Philharmonics hall.
. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

Members of an orchestra perform at Macedonian Philharmonics hall.

A man closes his eyes as he listens to an orchestra performing at Macedonian Philharmonics hall.
. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

A man closes his eyes as he listens to an orchestra performing at Macedonian Philharmonics hall.

A barman makes cocktails in a bar.
. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

A barman makes cocktails in a bar.

A supporter of opposition party VMRO-DPMNE lights a flare as he takes part in a protest over compromise solution in Macedonia's dispute with Greece over the country's name.
. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

A supporter of opposition party VMRO-DPMNE lights a flare as he takes part in a protest over compromise solution in Macedonia's dispute with Greece over the country's name.

Supporters of opposition party VMRO-DPMNE carry a big Macedonian flag as they take part in a protest over compromise solution in Macedonia's dispute with Greece over the country's name.
. Skopje, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

Supporters of opposition party VMRO-DPMNE carry a big Macedonian flag as they take part in a protest over compromise solution in Macedonia's dispute with Greece over the country's name.

Macedonian soldiers patrol at the Macedonia-Greece border near Gevgelija.
. Gevgelija, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

Macedonian soldiers patrol at the Macedonia-Greece border near Gevgelija.

Macedonian soldiers patrol at the Macedonia-Greece border.
. Gevgelija, Macedonia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

Macedonian soldiers patrol at the Macedonia-Greece border.