Since 1991, Athens had objected to its neighbour being called Macedonia because Greece has a historic northern province of the same name. Greece has blocked Macedonia's NATO and EU integration until it changes the name.
Despite warnings by the Turkish government and pledges by Macedonia to fight FETO, the Balkan country announced funding for a FETO-linked newspaper in Skopje.
To many outsiders the dispute between Greece and Macedonia may seem petty, yet the outcome of this referendum will have a significant impact on Balkan stability.
Negotiations between Macedonia and Greece continue, examining four possible options. Greece is also asking for an amendment of references to the 'Republic of Macedonia' in the national constitution.
Ethnic Albanians make up about one-quarter of Macedonia's 2.1 million people. Relations between the country’s Macedonians - who are Orthodox Christians - and ethnic Albanians - who are mostly Muslim - have long been fraught.
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