What’s in a name?

last updated 8 January 2015

Skopje, Macedonia

Greece threatened diplomatic retaliation this week after the U.S. formally recognized a former Yugoslav province’s right to use the name Macedonia. Greece has long insisted that the tiny country, which broke off from Yugoslavia in 1991, be officially called the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, often abbreviated as the awkward-sounding FYROM. The Greeks fear that if the country is universally recognized as Macedonia, it will seek to annex a neighboring Greek province also called Macedonia. Greece pledged to veto any attempt by Macedonia to enter the European Union or NATO under the shorter name. But the Macedonians were thrilled by the American recognition. “It’s a huge gesture, the first political gesture made by Bush after his victory, which is bizarre,” said Macedonian diplomat Ljubomir Frckovski. “But, however bizarre, we welcome it.”