Protocol signed for Macedonia's accession to NATO

Brussels [Belgium], Feb 6 (ANI): NATO's 29 member states signed a protocol for Macedonia's accession to the military pact here on Wednesday, following a landmark name-change deal last week.

Greece's objections to Macedonia's entry to NATO will be dropped following the name-change deal. Macedonia is set to be renamed "the Republic of North Macedonia", under the deal ratified by Greece's parliament last week.

In fact, it was the name issue between Greece and Macedonia, that had kept the Balkan country from joining both the NATO and the European Union (EU), reports Anadolu Agency.

NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg presided over Wednesday's ceremony a NATO's headquarters, where Macedonia was invited to join the pact. Macedonia's Foreign Minister, Nikola Dimitrov, signed the protocol on Skopje's behalf at the event. (ANI)