North Macedonia

On September 8, 1991, the Republic of Macedonia held a referendum on independence from Yugoslavia. The referendum followed the country's declaration of sovereignty and was a crucial step in establishing Macedonia as an independent state. Over 95% of voters supported independence, which led to the formal proclamation of independence and the start of the process of gaining international recognition. However, the path to recognition was complicated by Greece's objection to the country's use of the name 'Macedonia,' leading to negotiations and eventual admittance to the United Nations as 'The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.'

On September 13, 1995, Macedonia and Greece signed the Interim Accord, which was an agreement that helped resolve the long-standing dispute over the Republic of Macedonia's name and flag. The accord allowed for the lifting of the Greek trade embargo and established diplomatic relations between the two countries. As part of the agreement, Macedonia agreed to change its national flag, which previously featured the Vergina Sun, a symbol Greece claimed as part of its heritage. This accord paved the way for Macedonia's integration into international organizations, although the name dispute continued until 2018's Prespa Agreement.

The Ohrid Framework Agreement was signed on August 13, 2001, between the government of Macedonia and ethnic Albanian representatives. It aimed to end the ethnic conflict in the country by improving the rights of Albanians in Macedonia. The agreement provided for constitutional changes to enhance minority rights, proportional representation in public administration, and the decentralization of government authority. This accord was crucial in maintaining peace and stability in Macedonia and has been considered a significant step towards integrating the Albanian minority more fully into the nation's political and social framework.

On December 17, 2005, the European Council granted Macedonia the status of a candidate country for EU membership. This recognition marked an important milestone in Macedonia's efforts to join the European Union, demonstrating progress in implementing political and economic reforms. However, further progress had been delayed for many years due to the country's name dispute with Greece and the need for additional reforms related to governance, rule of law, and human rights. Joining the EU remains a key priority for North Macedonia's foreign policy objectives.

On April 2, 2008, Macedonia was blocked from receiving a formal invitation to join NATO due to a veto by Greece, which opposed Macedonian membership because of the ongoing dispute over the country's name. The veto came despite Macedonia meeting technical and military criteria for membership. This event was significant as it highlighted the impact of the name dispute on Macedonia's aspirations to integrate into Western political and military structures. The issue was later resolved with the Prespa Agreement in 2018, allowing Macedonia to join NATO in 2020 as North Macedonia.

The Prespa Agreement was signed on June 17, 2018, between Greece and Macedonia, resolving the long-standing dispute over the latter's name. According to the agreement, Macedonia would change its name to the Republic of North Macedonia, ending the diplomatic impasse with Greece. The deal required Macedonia to amend its constitution, while Greece lifted its vetoes against Macedonia's bids to join NATO and the European Union. This historic agreement was seen as a significant diplomatic achievement, promoting stability in the region and enabling Macedonia's further integration into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures.

On January 11, 2019, the Macedonian parliament passed the constitutional amendment to change the country’s name to the Republic of North Macedonia, following the Prespa Agreement with Greece. This change officially ended a 27-year dispute between the two countries that had impeded Macedonia’s accession to NATO and the European Union. The name change was a major milestone and required significant political negotiations and public debates within Macedonia. It signaled a new era in Macedonian-Greek relations and opened the door for Macedonia's integration into international organizations.

On June 18, 2019, NATO members signed the accession protocol for North Macedonia, clearing the way for North Macedonia to become NATO’s 30th member. This followed the resolution of the name dispute with Greece through the Prespa Agreement, which had previously blocked Macedonia’s NATO membership. North Macedonia’s accession to NATO was an important step in the country’s integration into Western political and security structures and was seen as a stabilization factor in the Balkans region. The membership became official in March 2020.

On March 27, 2020, North Macedonia officially became the 30th member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This accession was a significant milestone for the country, following years of efforts hampered by the name dispute with Greece. Joining NATO was seen as a major step in securing North Macedonia’s sovereignty and regional stability. It marked the success of diplomatic efforts following the Prespa Agreement and symbolized North Macedonia’s commitment to Western alliances and the broader Euro-Atlantic integration process.

On July 16, 2022, North Macedonia officially began accession talks with the European Union after resolving a bilateral dispute with Bulgaria. This development marked a significant milestone for the country in its long journey towards EU membership. The negotiations started following an agreement that addressed historical and language issues, clearing Bulgaria's objections that had blocked the process. Beginning these talks was seen as a crucial step in the EU's enlargement strategy in the Western Balkans, and it reinvigorated North Macedonia's commitment to European integration and reform processes.