Tsipras: We have written a new page for the Balkans

“Today we are writing a new page on the Balkans. The hatred of nationalism, the disputes and conflicts give way to friendship, peace and cooperation. The next generations in both countries will be grateful to the MPs who, with courage and boldness , laid the foundations for a future of peace, solidarity and harmonious coexistence between the two peoples”, said the Greek PM, Alexis Tsipras, said after the ratification of the agreement and added: “Northern Macedonia that is born today will be a friend country. An ally and supporter of Greece in its efforts for security, stability and co-development in the region”.

” Congratulations my friend Alexis Tsipras. Together with our peoples we reached a historical victory. Long live the Prespa Agreement! For eternal peace and progress of the Balkans and in Europe!”, posted on Twitter the Prime Minister of  Macedonia Zoran Zaev.

Mitsotakis spoke of an opportunistic majority and a “detrimental agreement” and proposes a “veto” in the accession of Macedonia to the EU.

“The government, with an overwhelming majority, voted for the damaging Prespa Agreement”, Kyriakos Mitsotakis said. The leader of New Democracy stressed that hte ratification of the Agreement means “the official recognition of Macedonian language and identity for the inhabitants of Skopje for the first time by a Greek government”, denouncing the Tsipras government for having abandoned a decade-old national line. “Mr. Tsipras said yes where all his predecessors had said no”, Mitsotakis pointed out, while reiterated what he said from the parliament’s step that he would not give up on Greece’s right “to veto Skopje’s accession to the European Union”.

In the coming weeks, probably early February, the Greek Parliament will also be asked to ratify the protocol of admission of North Macedonia to NATO, thus completing the planned procedures.