The Greek parliament ratified the Macedonian name deal on January 25 following three days of heated debate, a move that will enable Greece’s tiny northern neighbour to join Nato and to launch EU accession talks later this year.

According to the Prespa deal, signed in June 2018 under the auspice of the UN, Macedonia will be renamed North Macedonia to make a distinction with the Greek northern province with the same name. The deal will solve a 27-year dispute between the two countries and one of Europe’e most obstinate conflicts.

153 MPs in the 300-seat Greek parliament voted for the deal in a tense session, while 146 were against. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was visibly contented with the outcome of the vote, a live TV broadcast showed.

Parliament speaker Nikos Voutsis hailed the vote as “historic”, saying that the session on the name deal, which clocked more than 38 hours, was the longest held in recent history, beating even some of the thornier debates related to Greece's international bailouts, Kathimerini reported. 200 MPs spoke during the debate that started on January 23.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras wrote on his Facebook page: “Today we are writing a new page for the Balkans. The hatred of nationalisms and conflicts is giving the way to friendship, peace and cooperation.

“North Macedonia that was born today will be a friendly country, an ally and supporter of Greece in its efforts for security, stability and development in the region," Tsipras said.

“Congratulations my friend @tsipras_eu, together with our peoples we reached a historical victory. Long live the Prespa Agreement! For eternal peace and progress of the Balkans and in Europe!” Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said in a tweet.

There was also wider approval of the Greek move. Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, congratulated Zaev and Tsipras on the deal.

“They had imagination, they took the risk, they were ready to sacrifice their own interests for the greater good. Zoran, Alexis – well done! Mission impossible accomplished. #PrespaAgreement@Zoran_Zaev @tsipras_eu,” Tusk said in a tweet.

President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn praised the deal in a joint statement.

“Both countries have seized this unique opportunity which sets an example of reconciliation for Europe as a whole and will give a further boost to the European perspective of the region,” the EU officials said.

“While we look forward to the next procedural steps leading towards the full implementation of the agreement, we can already say with confidence today that Athens and Skopje have, together, written a new page of our common EU future,” it added.

Nato's secretary general Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the ratification in the Greek parliament of the Prespa agreement, as an important contribution to the stability and prosperity of the whole region.

"I look forward to the future Republic of North Macedonia joining #NATO," the Nato chief said in a tweet.

Under the deal, while the country name will be changed to North Macedonia, the language will be recognised as "Macedonian" and its citizenship as "Macedonian/Citizen of the Republic of North Macedonia"

But despite the warm welcome for the deal, the populations of both Macedonia and Greece remain divided. Violent protests took place in Athens and Greece’s second city Thessaloniki against the deal during the debate in the parliament. Police arrested over 150 protestors and used tear gas to disperse the crowd outside the parliament.

For the opposition New Democracy party of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Prespes deal is tantamount to “national defeat”.

In Macedonia the people and politicians are also divided over the agreement. The main opposition party VMRO-DPMNE considers it to be harmful for the country’s national interests.

But despite the painful concessions, others in Macedonia consider it is the sole chance for the country to exit isolation and move forward to Nato and EU integration.