WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) today announced a resolution congratulating the governments of Skopje and Athens on ratifying the Prespa Agreement, resolving a nearly 30-year naming dispute between the countries. The agreement, changing Macedonia’s name to the Republic of North Macedonia, opens a path for the country to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU). North Macedonia is expected to officially notify the United States and the international community of the name change soon.

“I applaud Athens and Skopje for peacefully resolving their naming dispute. This is a historic step that will result in greater stability and security in Southeast Europe,” said Sen. Johnson. “I hope that this accomplishment will add momentum to efforts in the region to settle other long-standing disputes peacefully, and I look forward to welcoming North Macedonia as NATO’s 30th member.”

“Greece’s vote to ratify and recognize The Republic of North Macedonia is a significant step toward securing peace and prosperity in the region, and will have broader implications by opening the door to the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Balkans,” said Sen. Shaheen. “Finding compromise and ending this dispute through diplomacy and peace should be an example to the entire region, and to the global community.”

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Update: S. Res. 65, a resolution congratulating the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of North Macedonia on ratification of the Prespa Agreement, was introduced on Feb. 11, 2019. Text of the resolution as introduced can be found here.

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This release was edited to direct to the final text of the resolution introduced by Sens. Johnson and Shaheen.