Nimetz urges Athens to ratify the Prespa Agreement

UN envoy Matthew Nimetz, who acted as the mediator in the name dispute between Greece and Macedonia deal , has asked Athens to ratify the deal as Skopje has completed its internal legal procedures.

Skopje on Wednesday formally informed the Greek government of its ratification of the deal known as the Prespa Agreement, following a parliamentary vote on Dec. 13, Nimetz said in a statement on Sunday.

“Upon the notification by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia of the completion of the related constitutional amendments and its internal legal procedures for the entry into force of the agreement, consideration and subsequently proceeding with the ratification of the agreement by the Hellenic Republic, through its national processes, would be in conformity with the relevant provisions of the Prespa Agreement,” said the statement.

“I look forward to the completion of the process as outlined in the agreement. As in the past, the United Nations remains committed to working with the two parties in finally resolving the difference between them,” said Nimetz.

According to announcements from Athens, Greece’s parliament is due to begin Monday the procedure for ratification of the Prespa Agreement. Parliament Speaker Nikos Voutsis said he expects the entire procedure to be completed with a final vote by end of the week.