GREECE THESSALONIKI - RALLY FOR MACEDONIAThousands of people participate in the rally for the Macedonia naming dispute , Thessaloniki , Greece , 21 January 2018 . The Macedonia name dispute is a political dispute between Greece and FYROM . Greece opposes the use of the name " Macedonia " by the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia . Millions of Greeks identify themselves as Macedonians , unrelated to the Slavic people who are associated with the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia . Greece further objects to the use of the term " Macedonian " for the neighboring country ' s largest ethnic group and its language . The specific naming dispute , was reignited after the breakup of Yugoslavia and the newly gained independence of the former Socialist Republic of Macedonia in 1991 . EPA / NIKOS ARVANITIDIS EPA / NIKOS ARVANITIDIS ▶ 기사 제보 및 문의 ▶ 기자 와 1 : 1 채팅    ▶ 평창동 계 올림픽 영상 공모전