Scholars and politicians gathered yesterday at the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MANU) in Skopje to debate the Prespes agreement with Greece ahead of the scheduled referendum.
The debate titled "The Prespa Agreement: International Significance and Implications for the Euro-Atlantic Integration Processes of the Republic of Macedonia," was led by the Academy’s President Mr Taki Fiti.
"I'm aware the name issue is difficult and painful. But there's no alternative,” admitted Fiti and went on to stress that the Prespes agreement provided safeguards for the “Macedonian” identity, language, culture, and tradition.
FYROM’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev also emphasized the same point reassuring the audience that "Greece has recognised our identity. Our language will be freely used anywhere: the UN, NATO, EU, at all official institutions and events."
"We believe we have a good, honorable agreement that affirms our identity and secures our future," Zaev added.
