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Why did North Macedonia’s path to NATO membership take more than 20 years?

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Flag of NATO featuring a white compass rose emblem with four lines radiating from the center on a blue background. — North Atlantic Treaty Organization Flag of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

North Macedonia’s path to NATO membership was delayed for over 20 years primarily due to a long-standing dispute with Greece over the country’s name.12

Following its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, the Republic of Macedonia sought international recognition. However, Greece objected to the name "Macedonia," arguing that it implied territorial claims on its own northern region of the same name and constituted a "falsification of history" regarding ancient Hellenic heritage.13

This conflict led to several consequences:
* Provisional Designation: To join the United Nations in 1993, the country was forced to use the temporary name "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM).12
* Accession Blocks: Despite a 1995 Interim Accord in which Greece agreed not to block the country's entry into international organizations under its provisional name, Greece subsequently prevented its accession to NATO in 2008.13
* Resolution: The impasse was finally resolved through the 2018 Prespa Agreement, in which the country agreed to rename itself the "Republic of North Macedonia." Following ratification by both parliaments, Greece removed its objections, allowing North Macedonia to join NATO in 2020.13