ATHENS, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) sealed a historic agreement on Sunday, putting an end to the dispute which started in 1991 over the use of the name Macedonia.
According to the preliminary accord signed by the two countries' foreign ministers, they agreed to rename the Balkan nation the Republic of North Macedonia.
The signing ceremony, broadcast live on Greek public broadcaster ERT, was hosted on the border at the Prespes lake region.
"We are making an historic step, there will be only winners from now on," Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said at the event.
"So that we can heal the wounds of the past, open a path for peace, friendship, cooperation and growth, not only for our countries, but for all Balkans and Europe," he said as he and his FYROM counterpart Zoran Zaev received a standing ovation from officials at the ceremony.
