(CNN) In what may be the most significant diplomatic step in the Balkans since the end of the Bosnian war, a bitter, decades-long bilateral dispute has been put to rest in Europe Friday. After 27 years of mutual mistrust, a name deal has been sealed between Athens and Skopje.

Under the agreement, Greece's neighbor will stop using the name "Republic of Macedonia," a name it chose for itself when it declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. It will instead call itself "Republic of North Macedonia." Following months of street protests and heated debate in both countries, the name deal has overcome the last of a number of hurdles in Athens Friday, with 153 votes in support in the 300-seat parliament.

The change is significant because Greece, a member of both NATO and the European Union, has been blocking Skopje's membership to NATO and the beginning of accession talks with the EU until the name dispute is resolved. Under the deal, Greece will lift its objections paving the way for its neighbor's integration.

How we got here

Both countries have been under pressure to resolve the dispute, as Western nations see the further integration of Balkan countries into the EU and NATO as a way of improving the region's stability. The move will perhaps even serve as a compromise that can ease other regional disputes. But Moscow openly opposes Macedonia's aspirations, having long been a major player in the region.

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