Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov has said he will not sign a deal reached with Greece on changing his country's name, saying it violates the constitution.
President Ivanov said the agreement, which would rename Macedonia as Republic of North Macedonia, gave too many concessions to Greece.
“My position is final and I will not yield to any pressure, blackmail or threats. I will not support or sign such a damaging agreement,” Mr Ivanov told a news conference.
The president has the backing of the nationalist opposition VMRO-DPMNE, and said that Macedonia's possible future membership of the EU and Nato was not enough of a reason to sign such a “bad agreement”.
The deal reached by the two countries' prime minister is expected to be signed by their foreign ministers this weekend. After that, Macedonia's parliament would vote on it, and if it is approved, Mr Ivanov's signature would be needed.
If the president refuses to sign, the deal would return to parliament for another vote. Mr Ivanov would have to sign off on the agreement if it passed a second time.
More follows…
