SIMMERING RESENTMENT
The disagreement started nearly 30 years ago, when the former Yugoslav republic declared independence and chose its name. Opponents say it implies a territorial claim over Greece’s northern region, which is also called Macedonia.
HARDBALL
The issue led Greece to block its neighbor’s attempts to join NATO and the E.U. In 1994, Greece instituted a crippling trade embargo, which was lifted in 1995 after FYROM conceded to amend its constitution and change its national flag.
STALEMATE
Both governments hope to come to a solution during U.N.-moderated talks, which started in January. They hope to reach an accord by June, but a recent poll showed that the majority of Greeks do not want “Macedonia” used in any solution.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Scams
- Introducing TIME's 2024 Latino Leaders
- How to Make an Argument That’s Actually Persuasive
- Did the Pandemic Break Our Brains?
- 33 True Crime Documentaries That Shaped the Genre
- The Ordained Rabbi Who Bought a Porn Company
- Why Gut Health Issues Are More Common in Women
- The 100 Most Influential People in AI 2024
Contact us at letters@time.com