Securitization Of The Name 'Macedonia'

In 21st century Europe a name of a country and a nation is regarded as a security problem that should be resolved.The name of the Republic of Macedonia has been officially raised as a problem by Greece in 1991 when Macedonia proclaimed its independence from Yugoslavia.Greece has gained a fast support for framing the name as serious 'security threat' by the other eleven European Community members,and Macedonia has been refused to be recognized as independent state with its name.The objection by Greece,and the European Community,has been a powerful influence for Macedonia to join the United Nations in 1993 under a temporal reference.Ever since,Macedonia's name has been framed as a security issue,and Greece and Macedonia have been engaged in diplomatic talks with UN mediation for finding a solution.Although more than 130 United Nations members recognized Macedonia with its constitutional name,the name problem is still present and is an obstacle for Macedonia's integration in NATO and European Union.This paper is analysis of the securitization process of constructing Macedonian name as a security threat by the securitizing actors,including Greece,in the Western discourse.A special focus is put on the influence of history and shared democratic identity for taking securitizing moves by the Western international community,comprised of powerful states members of NATO and EU,towards the securitization of'Macedonia.'...