Back in the 1990s, conflict erupted when a small Balkan state that became independent after the collapse of Yugoslavia called itself the Republic of Macedonia. The move sparked anger in neighboring Greece and hurt its national pride. Greece argued that any state calling itself Macedonia may try to claim its northern territory, which is also called Macedonia.

All this led to lengthy negotiations under UN mediation, with new state names suggested including Republic of New Macedonia and Upper Macedonia. Finally, six years ago, the then Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his counterpart Zoran Zaev reached a compromise.

Greece's northern neighbor was to be called North Macedonia, according to the Prespa Agreement.

The treaty was signed at Lake Prespa, bordering Albania, North Macedonia and Greece. A little later, the newly renamed Balkan state joined NATO, though EU membership is still a long way off.

Yet when North Macedonia's new president, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, took the oath of office in........

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