Tánaiste welcomes final step in the ratification of the Prespes Agreement
News
28 January 2019The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney TD, has welcomed the historic parliamentary vote in Athens on 24 January marking the final step in the ratification of the Prespes Agreement.
“I want to extend our warmest congratulations to Prime Minister Tsipras and Prime Minister Zaev following ratification of the Prespes Agreement in the Parliaments in Athens and Skopje. I applaud the leadership and conviction demonstrated by both Prime Ministers and the considerable courage shown by the parliamentarians in both countries. This is a significant step forward for the Western Balkans region and for the EU as a whole.
My colleague, Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee TD, will visit North Macedonia next week for discussions on the next steps on their European path.”
ENDS
Press Office
28 January 2019
Notes to Editors
After 27 years of negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations, Athens and Skopje signed the Prespes Agreement on 17 June 2018. Under this Agreement, following ratification in both Parliaments, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will henceforth be called the Republic of North Macedonia. The Prespes Agreement also deals with language and identity issues. The full text of the Agreement can be accessed here.
