Click here to view a map of Macedonia's entire territory

With the disintegration of Yugoslavia in the early 1990's, the Republic of Macedonia saw its chance to finally achieve its independence. A referendum was held on September 8, 1991 with an overwhelming majority choosing independence. Recognition came swiftly from Russia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia among others but the majority of the international community stalled because of pressure from Greece. This country, as a member of the United Nations, European Union, and NATO blocked recognition of Macedonia because it claims that the Macedonian name and flag, a sixteen-pointed sun dating back to Alexander the Great, belongs to Greece. (See category, Greek Propaganda). Regardless, Macedonia was accepted as a full member-state in the United Nations, albeit with the awkward reference, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. However, the majority of countries and international organizations refer to this country under its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia. Greek propaganda is slowly losing its influence, the truth will come out.

According to the European Community's Arbitration Commission (the Badinter Commission) on January 11, 1992:

• "The Republic of Macedonia fulfilled the conditions laid out by the guidelines on the Recognition of New States in Eastern Europe and in the Soviet Union as well as by the Declaration on Yugoslavia adopted by the council of ministers of the European Community on 16 December 1991."

• Taking as the points of departure the historical, cultural, spiritual and statehood heritage of the Macedonian people and their struggle over centuries for national and social freedom as well as the creation of their own state, and particularly the traditions of statehood and legality of the Krushevo Republic and the historic decisions of the Anti-Fascist Assembly of the People's Liberation of Macedonia, together with the constitutional and legal continuity of the Macedonian state as a sovereign republic within Federal Yugoslavia and freely manifested will of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia in the referendum of September 8th, 1991, as well as the historical fact that Macedonia is established as a national state of the Macedonian people, in which full equality as citizens and permanent co-existence with the Macedonian people is provided for Albanians, Turks, Vlachs, Romanies and other nationalities living in the Republic of Macedonia.

• the establishment of the Republic of Macedonia as a sovereign and independent state, as well as a civil and democratic one;

• the establishment and consolidation of the rule of law as a fundamental system of government;

• the guaranteeing of human rights, citizens' freedoms and ethnic equality;

• the provision of peace and a common home for the Macedonian people with the nationalities living in the Republic of Macedonia;

• the provision of social justice, economic wellbeing and prosperity in the life of the individual and the community.

Click here to view the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia in its entirety.

For more information, please go to General Information about the Republic of Macedonia.

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