About: FYRO Macedonia
EU socialists scold EPP over Macedonian name deal, disregard own black sheep member
The Socialists and Democrats group (S&D) continue to criticise the negative stance of center-right opposition parties in Athens and Skopje towards the landmark name deal but also turn a blind eye to their member party in Greece, which disapproves of it.
Poll: Majority of Macedonians support new name deal with Greece
More than 40% of people in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) support the name deal reached between their government and Athens, according to a poll.
US-Russia tensions escalate over Greece, Macedonia name deal
The Kremlin accused Washington on Friday (13 July) of being behind the Greek government’s decision to expel two Russian diplomats who had allegedly tried to derail a deal resolving Greece's name dispute with neighbouring Macedonia.
Greek FM: Europe must keep its word to North Macedonia and Albania
EXCLUSIVE / EU capitals should keep their word and open accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania at the 28-29 June summit, Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias told EURACTIV.com in a wide-ranging interview.
Family history explains New Democracy opposition to Athens-Skopje name deal, says EPP’s Brok
European People's Party MEP Elmar Brok has a “great understanding” of Greece’s New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who faces internal party problems and opposes the freshly agreed deal between Athens and Skopje on the name dispute. However, Brok told EURACTIV he hopes for a positive result in the end.
Macedonia expects more resistance as name solution nears – minister
Macedonia's deputy prime minister expects growing "external resistance" as negotiations on the name dispute with Greece get closer to a final deal which would unblock the country's NATO and EU membership bid.
Skopje opposition’s stance takes centre stage in Tsipras-Zaev talks
Athens and Skopje have moved closer to resolving their long-running name dispute but are not yet in a position to talk about an agreement, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Thursday (17 May).
EU socialists urge Tsipras and Zaev to show ‘leadership’ to curb nationalism
The President of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Sergei Stanishev, praised on Wednesday (16 May) the efforts by Athens and Skopje to resolve the long-standing name dispute and urged them to show “leadership” against nationalistic trends.
Bulgaria’s EU Presidency sees an ‘opportunity’ in Sofia on Macedonian name dispute
Bulgaria’s EU Presidency sees “an opportunity” in the long-standing name dispute between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) at a crucial meeting due in Sofia this week.
Athens calls on Hahn to stop ‘undermining’ Macedonian name dispute talks
European Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn said on Tuesday (24 April) that Greece’s name dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) could be resolved in the next 15 days.
Elmar Brok: Macron wants to ‘weaken’ the European Parliament
EXCLUSIVE / French President Emmanuel Macron wants to “weaken” the European Parliament with his opposition to the Spitzenkandidaten process, European People’s Party influential MEP Elmar Brok warned in an interview with EURACTIV.com. Brok, who is a close ally of Chancellor...
Athens and Skopje move closer to resolving eternal name row
Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) are moving closer to resolving a 25-year-old name dispute, which should pave the way for Skopje to join NATO this year and possibly remove a major obstacle for its EU integration.
Greek FM visits Skopje to build trust for ‘substantial’ talks on name dispute
Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias will meet on Thursday (31 August) with politicians in Skopje in order to build up further trust between the two countries. But it’s still “early” for a discussion about the name dispute, diplomatic sources told EURACTIV.com.
Athens-Skopje name dispute hits sporting world
The Greek ministry of foreign affairs said on Thursday (3 August) that Macedonia violated a 1995 interim agreement after they started playing a handball match wearing jerseys with the name 'Macedonia' printed on them.
Greek FM: EU should be louder against Turkish ‘intervention rights’ in member states
EXCLUSIVE / In a wide-ranging interview, Greece's foreign minister on Sunday (16 July) outlined his country's position on the failed Cyprus reunification talks, scolding UN envoy Espen Barth Eide and rejecting "interventions rights" for Turkey in any future settlement. He also warned against expecting any breakthrough with FYROM.
Balkan candidates hope to reinvigorate EU bids with new strategy
Enlargement has fallen off the EU’s list of priorities and the Union is more than likely to shrink before it grows again. But the Western Balkans are still aspiring EU members and a new strategy has been developed that hopes to put them back on Brussels’ immediate agenda.
Young Europeans continue to find it difficult to fly the nest
New statistics highlight how serious Europe’s economic malaise is still affecting young people, as significant numbers of 18-35 year-olds continue to live with their parents.
Albanian foreign minister: EU enlargement ‘lacks soul’
Brexit hasn't damaged the European project and the Balkan region is geopolitically crucial to the EU, particularly when it comes to tackling terrorism and the refugee crisis, according to Albania's foreign minister. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Socialists and Democrats: Trump is dangerous
The results of the US election show the need for the EU to start focusing on its own interests, Knut Fleckenstein, vice-president of the Socialists and Democrats group (S&D), told EURACTIV.com.
Croatia to coach Bosnians on how to join the EU
Croatia, the European Union’s newest member, has pledged to help its neighbour, Bosnia and Herzegovina, follow in its footsteps and join the bloc as soon as possible.
Macedonia’s EU aspirations in jeopardy
Political uncertainty in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) is leading to growing doubts over the country's capacity to meet its EU-accession targets. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Italy prepares for surge in refugees
The number of refugee arrivals in Italy this year is already 80% higher than in the same period in 2015. At the UN's Geneva conference on Syrian refugees last Wednesday (30 March), Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paolo Gentiloni, announced that 3,700 people had been rescued over the previous five days alone.
Idomeni refugee camp: Europe’s ‘catastrophe’
12,000 refugees remain in limbo in the Greek border town of Idomeni. Karl Kopp, of German immigration organisation Pro Asyl, told EURACTIV's partner Tagesspiegel that they need a political and humanitarian situation.