Tsipras first Greek leader to visit North Macedonia

By Admir Fazlagikj and Furkan Abdula

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AA) - Some two months after reaching a deal to end a decades-long name row, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras paid a historic visit Tuesday to his North Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev.

Zaev hailed the visit as a "historic milestone" as the first visit by a Greek leader to the country since it gained independence from then-Yugoslavia in 1991.

Tsipras said that Greece and North Macedonia have "lost 30 years and that two sides have to leave that bitter period behind," referring to the dispute over what was formerly Macedonia, a name Athens found unacceptable.

The row was resolved in late January, when Greece ratified a deal to change the country's name to the Republic of North Macedonia.

He said the two signed a memorandum of understanding to open a new border gate, Promachoi-Majden, meant to boost trade and cultural interaction between the two nations.

Zaev said relations between the two countries are improving in all areas, pointing to the positive impact of the deal to resolve the longstanding name dispute.

Zaev also asked for Greece support in its bid to join the EU and NATO.

The two leaders took a selfie after an official ceremony in the capital Skopje.

Greece was the first country to ratify a NATO accession protocol for North Macedonia in February.

The two leaders will address a business conference later Tuesday.