Demonstrators oppose any compromise by Greece in long-running dispute over former Yugoslav republic’s official name

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

More than 100,000 protesters from across Greece converged on Athens’ main square on Sunday to protest a potential Greek compromise in a dispute with neighbouring Macedonia over the former Yugoslav republic’s official name.

The dispute broke out after Macedonia gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Greece argues use of the name implies territorial claims on its own province of Macedonia, once home of Alexander the Great.

Hundreds of buses brought protesters in from around the country, while more people arrived on ferries from the islands. Chanting “Hands off Macedonia!” and “Macedonia belongs to Greece!” the protesters converged on Syntagma Square, in front of the Greek parliament.

Police officials estimated the attendance at 140,000. Organisers, who claimed 1.5 million were at the rally, used a crane to raise a massive Greek flag over the square.

“We are trying to show the politicians ... that they must not give up the name ‘Macedonia’,” said 55-year-old protester Manos Georgiou.

About 700 left-wing and anarchist protesters set up a counter-demonstration nearby, bearing banners calling for Balkan unity. “Macedonia belongs to its bears,” read one banner.

Dozens of riot police were deployed to keep the two demonstrations separate.

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The country is recognised by international institutions as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, even though about 130 countries refer to it simply as Macedonia. Many Greeks refer to it by the name of its capital, Skopje.

The squabble has prevented Macedonia from joining Nato, to which Greece already belongs. The left-led governments in both countries have pledged to seek a solution this year, and have been holding talks with a UN negotiator.