Tens of thousands of Greeks have staged a mass rally in Athens urging the government not to compromise in the country’s long-running name dispute with neighboring Macedonia.

Organizers claimed some 1.5 million people from all over the country traveled to Athens' central Syntagma Square on February 4 to join the demonstration against Skopje's use of the name Macedonia.

Police put the figure at around 140,000.

Demonstrators carrying Greek flags chanted slogans such as "hands off Macedonia" and "Macedonia is Greece" as they assembled in the square outside parliament.

Renowned Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, 92, addressed the crowd, saying, "Macedonia was, is, and will forever be Greek."

Greek Prime Minister Alexi Tsipras has been considering a resolution to the dispute -- angering both opposition politicians and members of his own nationalist coalition.

In a statement released by his office on February 4, Tsipras said that "the million protesters that the organizers [of the demonstration] imagined was wishful thinking."

"The crushing majority of Greek people conclude that foreign policy issues should not be dealt with fanaticism," he added.

Among those at the February 4 rally in Athens were mayors, senior religious figures, Greek military officers, and former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, who was Greece's foreign minister when the name dispute began.

The dispute broke out after Macedonia, for decades a part of the former Yugoslavia, gained independence in 1991.

Greece argues the neighbor's name implies claims on its own province of Macedonia and wants it changed. The Macedonian government denies the charge.

Leaders of the two countries have said progress has been made in settling the dispute, with indications that any agreement could include Macedonia adding "Upper," "New," or "North" to its name.

UN negotiator Matthew Nimetz on February 1 voiced optimism that the Balkan neighbors could end the dispute this year, despite vehement opposition from nationalist parties in both countries.

The Athens protest would be the second major demonstration in the capital in recent weeks. It is being organized and funded by Greek diaspora groups, backed by retired officer associations, Greek Macedonian cultural unions, church groups, and others.

Outside the capital, tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Thessaloniki on January 21 in the first major protest over the name dispute, with police saying 90,000 people attended but organizers putting the number at 400,000.

The government has said the protests will not affect its efforts to solve the dispute. "Not having a solution undermines our national interest," Tsipras said recently.

Based on Greece's objections to the use of the name, Macedonia in 1993 joined the United Nations as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

With reporting by AFP, Greek Reporter, and Channel NewsAsia </s> ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Well over 100,000 protesters from across Greece converged Sunday on Athens’ main square to protest a potential Greek compromise in a dispute with neighboring Macedonia over the former Yugoslav republic’s official name.

Hundreds of charted buses brought protesters in from around the country to the Greek capital, while more people arrived on ferries from the islands. Traffic was blocked throughout the city center and three major subway stops were closed.

Chanting “Hands off Macedonia!” and “Macedonia belongs to Greece!” tens of thousands of protesters converged on Syntagma Square in front of parliament, many waving flags bearing the Star of Vergina, the emblem of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia.

Police officials estimated the attendance at 140,000. Organizers, who claimed 1.5 million were protesting, used a crane to raise a massive Greek flag over the square.

“We are trying to show the politicians … that they must not give up the name ‘Macedonia’,” said 55-year-old protester Manos Georgiou.

About 700 left-wing and anarchist protesters set up a counter-demonstration nearby, bearing banners calling for Balkan unity.

Dozens of riot police were deployed to keep the two demonstrations separate.

Suspected far-rightists attempted to attack the counter-demonstration, but were prevented by police, who used stun grenades and tear gas to hold them back. The far-rightists responded by throwing rocks at police. There were also reported incidents of anarchists attacking some bikers.

The name dispute broke out after Macedonia gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.

The country is recognized by international institutions as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, even though about 130 countries refer to it simply as Macedonia. Many Greeks refer to it by the name of its capital, Skopje.

Greece argues use of the name implies territorial claims on its own province of Macedonia, home of one of the most famous ancient Greeks, Alexander the Great.

Officials in Skopje counter that their country has been known as Macedonia for a long time.

Composer and former minister Mikis Theodorakis, 92, the keynote speaker at the rally, repeated the controversial claim that Greece’s neighbor wants to expand into Greek territory.

“Using the name Macedonia as a vehicle and twisting historical events to a ridiculous extent, they actually seek to expand their borders at the expense of ours,” Theodorakis said.

Rejecting any compromise on Greece’s part, Theodorakis called for a referendum on the issue.

The squabble has prevented Macedonia from joining NATO, to which Greece already belongs. The left-led governments in both countries have pledged to seek a solution this year, and have been holding talks with U.N. negotiator Matthew Nimetz.

The most likely solution will be to add a modifier such as “new” or “north” to the republic’s name. But the proposals have triggered protests in both countries.

The crowd at Sunday’s rally in Athens jeered when speakers mentioned Nimetz’s name.

“We’re expecting them to hear us,” protester Maria Iosifidou said of Greece’s politicians. “We don’t want Skopje to take the name …let them have another name.”

About 100,000 people attended a similar protest last month in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, the capital of Greece’s province of Macedonia.

Raphael Kominis and Demetris Nellas in Athens contributed to this report. </s> More than 100,000 protesters from across Greece converged on Athens’ main square on Sunday to protest a potential Greek compromise in a dispute with neighbouring Macedonia over the former Yugoslav republic’s official name.

The dispute broke out after Macedonia gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Greece argues use of the name implies territorial claims on its own province of Macedonia, once home of Alexander the Great.

Hundreds of buses brought protesters in from around the country, while more people arrived on ferries from the islands. Chanting “Hands off Macedonia!” and “Macedonia belongs to Greece!” the protesters converged on Syntagma Square, in front of the Greek parliament.

Police officials estimated the attendance at 140,000. Organisers, who claimed 1.5 million were at the rally, used a crane to raise a massive Greek flag over the square.

“We are trying to show the politicians ... that they must not give up the name ‘Macedonia’,” said 55-year-old protester Manos Georgiou.

About 700 left-wing and anarchist protesters set up a counter-demonstration nearby, bearing banners calling for Balkan unity. “Macedonia belongs to its bears,” read one banner.

Dozens of riot police were deployed to keep the two demonstrations separate.

The country is recognised by international institutions as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, even though about 130 countries refer to it simply as Macedonia. Many Greeks refer to it by the name of its capital, Skopje.

The squabble has prevented Macedonia from joining Nato, to which Greece already belongs. The left-led governments in both countries have pledged to seek a solution this year, and have been holding talks with a UN negotiator. </s> More than 100,000 protesters from across Greece have converged on Athens’s main square to protest against a potential Greek compromise in a dispute with neighbouring Macedonia over the former Yugoslav republic’s official name.

More than 100,000 protesters from across Greece have converged on Athens’s main square to protest against a potential Greek compromise in a dispute with neighbouring Macedonia over the former Yugoslav republic’s official name.

Tens of thousands of Greeks protest over Macedonia name dispute

Traffic was blocked throughout the city centre and three major subway stops were closed. Chanting “Hands off Macedonia!” and “Macedonia belongs to Greece!” tens of thousands of protesters converged on Syntagma Square in front of parliament, many waving flags bearing the Star of Vergina, the emblem of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia.

Police officials estimated the attendance at 140,000. Organisers, who claimed 1.5 million were protesting, used a crane to raise a massive Greek flag over the square. “We are trying to show the politicians … that they must not give up the name ‘Macedonia’,” said 55-year-old protester Manos Georgiou.

Suspected far-rightists attempted to attack the counter-demonstration but were prevented by police, who used stun grenades and tear gas to hold them back. The far-rightists responded by throwing rocks at police. There were also reported incidents of anarchists attacking some bikers.

The country is recognised by international institutions as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, even though about 130 countries refer to it simply as Macedonia. Many Greeks refer to it by the name of its capital, Skopje.

Greece argues use of the name implies territorial claims on its own province of Macedonia, home of one of the most famous ancient Greeks, Alexander the Great. Officials in Skopje counter that their country has been known as Macedonia for a long time.

Composer and former minister Mikis Theodorakis, 92, the keynote speaker at the rally, repeated the controversial claim that Greece’s neighbour wants to expand into Greek territory. “Using the name Macedonia as a vehicle and twisting historical events to a ridiculous extent, they actually seek to expand their borders at the expense of ours,” Mr Theodorakis said.

Rejecting any compromise on Greece’s part, Mr Theodorakis called for a referendum on the issue. The squabble has prevented Macedonia from joining Nato, to which Greece already belongs. The left-led governments in both countries have pledged to seek a solution this year, and have been holding talks with UN negotiator Matthew Nimetz.

The most likely solution will be to add a modifier such as “new” or “north” to the republic’s name but the proposals have triggered protests in both countries. The crowd at Sunday’s rally in Athens jeered when speakers mentioned Mr Nimetz’s name. “We’re expecting them to hear us,” protester Maria Iosifidou said of Greece’s politicians. “We don’t want Skopje to take the name … let them have another name.” </s> The rally was held on late Thursday at the Syntagma Square near the parliament’s building with 2,000-3,000 people having participated in the event. They called the country’s leadership traitors and demanded a referendum on ratification of the deal with Macedonia. Police boosted security measures in the area.

Several participants of the rally were reportedly detained.

Greece and Macedonia, officially known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), have been entangled in a naming dispute for years, with Athens opposing the use of "Macedonia," which is also the name of a region in Greece. The agreement on the new name for Macedonia – Republic of Northern Macedonia – was signed by Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov and his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias on June 17.

The deal paved the way for Macedonia to join the European Union and NATO, which had been earlier blocked by Greece over the naming issue. Earlier this month, the deal was supported by the majority of Macedonian lawmakers, while the Greek parliament is still to ratify the document.

The Prespa agreement is widely criticized by various political forces in Greece, who staged massive protests in Athens on Sunday. More than 60,000 people joined the Sunday demonstration, which resulted in clashes between protesters and police. Seven people were detained and 25 officers injured in scuffles. </s> "Since 12 p.m. [10:00 GMT], demonstrations on the Syntagma square have been held involving around 140,000 citizens. They are occupying the area of 50,000 square meters [12.4 acres] on the Syntagma square," the police said in a statement.

According to the law enforcement data, 283 buses brought the protesters to the demonstration site.

Meanwhile, the demonstration’s organizers said that over a million of people attended the rally.

A Sputnik correspondent reported that the protesters were holding the flags of Greece and the Greek Orthodox Church, well as posters with the slogan "Macedonia is Greece."

The demonstrators say that they rally in support of Greece’s unity and against "betrayal" of its national interests, referring to the government’s willingness to a compromise with Skopje in the Macedonia name dispute.

Apart from the Macedonia name rally, a counter-protest is held by Greek far-left groups in Athens. According to the police data, the rally brought together around 400 people, mainly from the city's central Exarcheia neighborhood, popular among students, anarchists and anti-globalists.

Greece is involved in talks with Macedonia, referred to as FYROM by Athens, to resolve the decades-long dispute on the name of the country. Athens has been claiming that Skopje might have territorial claims over Greece’s region of the same name.

Some 140,000 people attended a rally against the use of the word "Macedonia" in the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), which took place in central Athens on Sunday, the Greek police said. </s> Tens of thousands of Greeks staged a mass rally in Athens Sunday, urging the government not to compromise in a festering name row with neighboring Macedonia.

Organizers claimed some 1.5 million people from across Greece and the Greek diaspora turned out to express their opposition to attempts by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' government to broker a deal.

Police put the figure at around 140,000.

Hundreds of buses were chartered to bring protesters from across the country to the Greek capital, while more were arriving on ferries from the islands. Police were halting traffic along major avenues in the city center, while vendors were setting up stalls selling Greek and Byzantine flags.

The more than quarter-century dispute broke out after Macedonia gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Greece argues use of the name implies territorial claims on its own province of Macedonia, home of one of the most famous ancient Greeks, Alexander the Great.

Officials in Skopje counter that their country has been known as Macedonia for a long time.

"Macedonia is Greek and only Greek," the crowd chanted. People arrived in Athens for the rally from across the country, many coming by buses organized for the protest, state TV ERT reported.

"We will never allow another country to carry the name Macedonia in any form," Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, 92, told the protesters. Theodorakis composed the national anthem, but may be best known for the score of the iconic film "Zorba the Greek."

The protest was called by nationalist organizations and endorsed by rightist politicians and part of the Greek Orthodox clergy.

A rally last month in Thessaloniki, the capital of the province Macedonia, drew more than 100,000 demonstrators.

U.N.-brokered negotiations were fruitless and the row has cost Macedonia membership in NATO and progress toward the European Union, as Greece blocked both.

A change of leadership in Skopje last year and the arrival of the moderate Social Democrat Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, however, provided a new momentum.

In a thawed atmosphere, the U.N. envoy, Matthew Nimetz, offered new name proposals and visited the two capitals, preparing the ground for fresh talks.

Several protesters wore traditional garb, including the uniform of Greek guerrillas who fought Bulgarian bands and Ottoman forces in Macedonia in the early 20th century.

"Cretan eagles lie in the earth of Macedonia," a Cretan representative told the crowd. "We tell our sister, Macedonia, we will not allow anyone to carve you up."

The protest -- the second on the Macedonia issue in a fortnight -- was organized and funded by Greek diaspora groups, with the support of retired officer associations, cultural unions and church groups.

Anarchists stationed a counter-protest nearby, with riot police deployed to keep the two crowds apart.

Two weeks ago, tens of thousands had protested in Thessaloniki, the capital of Greece's Macedonia region. Police had estimated the turnout at over 90,000, while organizers claimed at least 400,000 attended.

The dispute has remained unresolved since the former Yugoslav republic's independence in 1991.

Greece considers the name "Macedonia" to be part of its own cultural heritage, as the province was the core of Alexander the Great's ancient empire.

Athens seeks guarantees that the use of the name by its neighbor implies no claim to parts of its own territory.

The government has accused far-right hardliners and the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party of trying to exploit the issue.

The government insists the rallies will not affect its determination to solve the issue and boost stability in the often tense Balkan region.

Athens says it is ready to accept a composite name that will establish a clear distinction from Greek Macedonia.

"The government is trying to give a patriotic solution to a problem that has troubled the country, its international relations and its diplomacy for over 25 years," government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said Sunday.

"Not having a solution undermines our national interest," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said last week.

Because of Greece's objections, Macedonia in 1993 joined the United Nations as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

To break the deadlock, longterm U.N. mediator Matthew Nimetz has now proposed several alternative names in Macedonian, including "Republika Nova Makedonija" or the "Republic of New Macedonia".

A resolution of the issue is needed before Macedonia can join NATO or the EU.

"They seek to join NATO and the EU with our own vote, so they can threaten us tomorrow from a position of strength," Theodorakis said.

Greece in 2008 threatened to veto Macedonia's NATO entry. Skopje subsequently took the issue to the International Court of Justice, which said Athens had been wrong to block its land-locked neighbor's aspirations. </s> Greece's left-led coalition government survived a no-confidence vote in parliament Saturday brought over a deal to end a decades-old dispute with neighboring Macedonia concerning the latter's name.

But the government suffered a loss in its parliamentary majority after lawmaker Dimitris Kammenos of the nationalist Independent Greeks, the government's junior coalition partner, voted in favor. He was kicked out of the party immediately after the vote, leaving the governing coalition with a three-member majority.

Lawmakers voted 153-127 in the 300-member parliament against the motion brought by the conservative main opposition party over the deal to rename the former Yugoslav republic North Macedonia. In the agreement, Athens would drop its objections to the country joining NATO and the European Union.

Thousands of protesters rallied outside parliament during the debate, waving Greek flags and chanting anti-government slogans. Scuffles broke out, with riot police firing tear gas to stop protesters from breaching police lines.

The deal reached by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev on Tuesday aims to end a bitter dispute that has roiled the two countries' relations since shortly after Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.

Greece argued the term "Macedonia" implied territorial claims on its province of the same name, which is the birthplace of the ancient warrior king Alexander the Great, and usurped its ancient Greek heritage and history.

The deal was met with fury by critics in both countries, who accuse their respective prime ministers of conceding too much.

"Hatred toward the country of another is not patriotism," Tsipras said during his speech in parliament.

The agreement will be signed Sunday morning by the two nations' foreign ministers at Lake Prespa near their common border. Both prime ministers will attend the ceremony, as will European officials. Protests have been called in both countries.

Speaking during the debate, Defense Minister and Independent Greeks head Panos Kammenos stressed that voting against the no-confidence motion was not a vote in favor of the Macedonia name deal, which he vowed to reject when it is eventually brought to parliament.

Tsipras stressed the deal met all of Greece's demands and would close "the open wound that has been troubling our country for more than 26 years."

Conservative New Democracy party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who had brought the no-confidence motion, argued that a vote in favor of the government was a vote in favor of the name deal.

"Today you are all mortgaging the future of the country," he told lawmakers.

Across the border, Zaev has also met with opposition, with President Gjorge Ivanov saying he will not sign off on the agreement. Zaev has said he will put it to a referendum in the fall.

"With the signing of the agreement between Macedonia and Greece, everyone will benefit," Zaev said Saturday.

Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov stressed the deal would pave the way for NATO and EU accession.

"We have forces that are fighting for the future, we have forces that are fighting for the past," Dimitrov said in Skopje. "We cannot change the past, we could the future."

The ratification process will take months.

In Macedonia, the agreement must clear the hurdles of parliamentary ratification, a referendum and a constitutional amendment. If Ivanov refuses to sign off on the deal, it will be sent back to parliament for a second vote. If it passes again, the president must sign it.

In Greece, the deal faces ratification in parliament only after Macedonia has completed its part of the process. </s> Protesters demonstrate against the agreement between Greece and Macedonia over dispute of the former Yugoslav's republic name, outside the Greek Parliament, in Athens, Friday, June 15, 2017. The prime ministers of Greece and its northern neighbor, Macedonia, agreed Tuesday that the former Yugoslav republic should be renamed North Macedonia.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Protesters demonstrate against the agreement between Greece and Macedonia over dispute of the former Yugoslav's republic name, outside the Greek Parliament, in Athens, Friday, June 15, 2017. The prime ministers of Greece and its northern neighbor, Macedonia, agreed Tuesday that the former Yugoslav republic should be renamed North Macedonia.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The Latest on a no-confidence vote in the Greek parliament (all times local):

10:15 p.m.

Greek lawmakers have rejected a no-confidence motion in the government brought by the main opposition party over a deal to change the name of Macedonia and end a decades-old dispute with Greece’s northern neighbor.

Lawmakers voted 153-127 in the 300-member parliament Saturday against the motion to oust the left-led government over the deal renaming the former Yugoslav republic North Macedonia.

One lawmaker from the government’s junior coalition partner, the nationalist Independent Greeks, voted in favor of the move. The party is a vociferous critic of the name deal. The party’s leader, Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, kicked the lawmaker out of the party.

The deal aims to end a dispute that has roiled the two countries’ relations since Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.

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5 p.m.

Greece’s main opposition leader urged lawmakers Saturday to support his no-confidence vote against the government over a deal to end a decades-old dispute with neighboring Macedonia over the latter’s name.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ left-led coalition government is expected to survive the vote, set for later Saturday. His government controls 154 of parliament’s 300 seats. The nationalist party that is a junior coalition partner says it will reject the motion despite vehemently opposing the name deal that Tsipras reached with his Macedonian counterpart.

“Today you are all mortgaging the future of the country,” said conservative New Democracy party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who brought the no-confidence motion.

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11:30 a.m.

Greek lawmakers are debating for the final day a no-confidence motion against the government over a deal to end a decades-old dispute with neighboring Macedonia over the latter’s name.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ left-led coalition government is expected to survive Saturday’s vote. His government controls 154 of parliament’s 300 seats, and the nationalist party that is a junior coalition partner says it will reject the motion despite opposing the agreement Tsipras reached with his Macedonian counterpart.

Tsipras and Macedonia’s Zoran Zaev settled on a deal Tuesday that would rename Greece’s northern neighbor North Macedonia, while Athens would drop its objections to the country joining NATO and the European Union.

Hardliners in both countries are furious at the deal, which they consider concedes too much to the other side
Tens of thousands of people demonstrate in Athens against the willingness manifested by the Cabinet of Greece to make concessions in the long-standing dispute with the Republic of Macedonia.