NATO signs accession protocol with Macedonia

By Yusuf Hatip</p> <p>BRUSSELS (AA) – Following a historic name-change deal, Macedonia is moving into the ranks of NATO.</p> <p>At its Brussels headquarters, NATO on Wednesday signed a protocol for Macedonia’s accession to the military pact.</p> <p>The protocol was signed by NATO’s 29 member states as well as Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov on behalf of Macedonia. </p> <p>The ceremony was presided over by Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary general.</p> <p>Last week, Greece’s parliament ratified a historic deal to end a 28-year dispute over its neighbor Macedonia’s name, paving the way for the Balkan country to join NATO and the EU.</p> <p>Under the deal, Macedonia will be renamed “the Republic of North Macedonia” and Greece will drop its objections to the country joining the EU and NATO.</p> <p>The name issue has kept Macedonia from joining the EU and NATO since its independence in 1991.</p> <p>NATO invited Macedonia to begin accession talks to join the alliance at a Brussels summit last July.