(AP-ANSA) - SKOPJE - Polls have opened in Macedonia's crucial
referendum, where citizens are deciding whether to accept a
landmark deal ending a decades-old dispute with neighboring
Greece by changing their country's name to North Macedonia,
paving the way to NATO membership. Macedonians were deciding
Sunday whether they were "in favor of membership in NATO and
European Union by accepting the deal between (the) Republic of
Macedonia and Republic of Greece."
The June deal would end a dispute dating from the early 1990s
when Macedonia seceded from Yugoslavia. Greece argued use of the
term implied territorial ambitions on its own province of the
same name, and blocked the country's efforts to join NATO.
If the "Yes" vote wins, Macedonia will have to pass
constitutional amendments through parliament before the deal
faces ratification in Greece. (AP-ANSA).
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