The Greek prime minister gives the news: We have reached agreement on Macedonia's name

We have an agreement. I am happy because it is a good deal, covering all preconditions set by the Greek side”, he said during a television presentation.

Tsipras added that Macedonia will have a new name “that is geographically defined”, but did not show what name they agreed with the Macedonian side.

The Republic of Northern Macedonia is unofficially the new name agreed between the prime ministers of Macedonia and Greece, Zoran Zaev and Alexis Tsipras.

According to Greek media, two sides agreed to use this name both inside and outside the country or according to the known formula “erga omnes”, which the Greek side has consistently insisted on.

Under the agreement, which must be confirmed by the prime ministers of the two countries, the Macedonian language is recognised, but with remarks that this language is of Slavic origin while it comes to identity, citizens in personal documents will be identified as citizens of northern Macedonia, but also here with clarification that it is about a population that has no connection with Greek culture.

I hope that today we will be able to communicate the opinion. I am optimistic that it is possible to reach agreement... the two governments, most citizens of both states are interested in finally closing this multi-year-old conflict... If all is concrete, then we can meet at Prespa to concreteise or sign the” agreement, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has earlier declared calling on the head of state, but also on all other parties to support the possible agreement.

But, State President Djordje Ivanov, commenting on the prime minister's call for support of the agreement, has said that for resolving the dispute Need A broad political consensus and that a vital issue cannot be resolved through a telephone conversation.

Vice President Ivanov once again stresses the need for broad national consensus for finding a solution that will not jeopardise the dignity of the Macedonian people and citizens. President Ivanov estimates it is imperious and irresponsible that on the name issue, which is an extremely important issue for the citizens of Macedonia, and imposed requirements, to be resolved over the phone and agreement between only two prime ministers of state”, have submitted by the president's cabinet.

But, Prime Minister Zaev has said the final word agreement will mean citizens in the referendum.

“The citizens are the ones who will decide in the referendum, while President Ivanov and I should help people. I believe we'll have meetings where we can get all the arguments out and each one acts on the basis of the competencies that it has... we have to work on the perspective, we have to keep in mind that if we reach the eurointegue process and there's going to be prospects for all citizens”, Zaev has declared.

Ratification of the document is envisioned in several phases based on possible agreement. After crossing to Parliament, Greek government will send letter The EU and NATO are encouraging the start of northern Macedonia's membership negotiations in the EU and NATO, after constitutional changes are made.

One of the phases is the organisation of the referendum, and in the event of its failure, extraordinary parliamentary elections are envisioned and if the party supporting the agreement wins, then this would be seen as support for the agreed document.

Unofficially it becomes known that the agreement will be signed over the weekend in Prespa, Greece and then ratified by the two states' frameworks.