Title: A resolution congratulating the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of North Macedonia on ratification of the Prespa Agreement, which resolves a long-standing bilateral dispute and establishes a strategic partnership between the 2 countries.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution commends Greece and North Macedonia for the ratification of the Prespa Agreement, which changes the name of the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of North Macedonia and ends a longstanding dispute regarding the country's constitutional name.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 65 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 65

    Congratulating the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of North 
  Macedonia on ratification of the Prespa Agreement, which resolves a 
long-standing bilateral dispute and establishes a strategic partnership 
                        between the 2 countries.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 11, 2019

  Mr. Johnson (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Risch, Mr. Murphy, Mr. 
 Tillis, Mr. Coons, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Cramer, 
and Mr. Enzi) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                   the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Congratulating the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of North 
  Macedonia on ratification of the Prespa Agreement, which resolves a 
long-standing bilateral dispute and establishes a strategic partnership 
                        between the 2 countries.

Whereas, in 2017, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic Alexis Tsipras and 
        Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Zoran Zaev displayed great 
        political courage and leadership by intensifying efforts to resolve a 
        nearly 30-year dispute between the 2 countries;
Whereas, on June 17, 2018, the foreign ministers of the Hellenic Republic and 
        the Republic of Macedonia signed the Prespa Agreement, in which, subject 
        to ratification by the parliament of each country, both parties agreed 
        that the official name of the Republic of Macedonia would be changed to 
        the Republic of North Macedonia;
Whereas, on September 30, 2018, the Republic of Macedonia held a consultative 
        referendum on the proposed name change in which over 90 percent of those 
        voting supported joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
        (referred to in this preamble as ``NATO'') and the European Union 
        (referred to in this preamble as the ``EU'') by accepting the Prespa 
        Agreement;
Whereas, on January 11, 2019, the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, in 
        accordance with the Prespa Agreement, approved constitutional amendments 
        to change the name of the country to the Republic of North Macedonia;
Whereas, on January 25, 2019, the Hellenic Parliament ratified the Prespa 
        Agreement, pledging not to object to the Republic of North Macedonia 
        joining international organizations, including NATO and the EU;
Whereas the Hellenic Republic is an important ally of the United States, hosting 
        United States Naval Support Activity Souda Bay on the island of Crete in 
        the Mediterranean Sea;
Whereas the Hellenic Republic has been a NATO member since 1952, and has 
        faithfully met the 2 percent of gross domestic product defense-spending 
        goal established at the 2014 Wales NATO Summit;
Whereas the Republic of Macedonia made important contributions to the United 
        States-led Operation Iraqi Freedom and to the International Security 
        Assistance Force of NATO in Afghanistan;
Whereas the Republic of North Macedonia continues to provide soldiers to the 
        Resolute Support Mission of NATO in Afghanistan;
Whereas the Republic of Macedonia joined NATO's Partnership for Peace in 1995, 
        commenced a NATO Membership Action Plan in 1999, fulfilled the terms 
        necessary for accession to NATO by the 2008 Bucharest Summit, and was 
        invited, in 2018, to begin NATO accession talks;
Whereas the Republic of Macedonia was the first western Balkan country to sign a 
        Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, and became an 
        official candidate to join the EU in 2005;
Whereas, in June 2018, the European Council set out the path toward opening EU 
        accession negotiations with the Republic of Macedonia; and
Whereas the resolution of the naming dispute between the Hellenic Republic and 
        the Republic of North Macedonia paves the way for the Republic of North 
        Macedonia to become a member of NATO and the EU: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) congratulates the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of 
        North Macedonia for resolving their nearly 30-year naming 
        disagreement;
            (2) commends the leadership and courage of Prime Minister 
        of the Hellenic Republic Alexis Tsipras and Prime Minister of 
        the Republic of North Macedonia Zoran Zaev;
            (3) asserts that the agreement between the Hellenic 
        Republic and the Republic of North Macedonia advances 
        stability, security, and prosperity in Southeast Europe;
            (4) supports the integration of the Republic of North 
        Macedonia into Euro-Atlantic institutions, including the North 
        Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union; and
            (5) encourages other countries in the region to follow the 
        example of the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of North 
        Macedonia in peacefully resolving long-standing disputes.
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