Craig Kelly (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last week, it was a real pleasure to be invited to the Macedonian embassy in Canberra to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that nation's independence. It was known previously as 'the Socialist Republic of Macedonia' and was part of the old Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. On 16 April 1991, the Macedonian parliament adopted a constitutional amendment removing the word 'socialist' from the official name of the country. Shortly after, on 7 June of the same year, the new name 'the Republic of Macedonia' was officially established. On 8 September 1991, the Republic of Macedonia held a referendum in which 95.26 per cent of the public voted for independence from Yugoslavia under the name 'the Republic of Macedonia'.

It seems a shame that Australia is one of the few nations that does not recognise that name. Currently, over 135 countries have recognised Macedonia under its constitutional name, including: the USA, Canada, the UK, Russia, China, India, Indonesia and many others. I understand there are sensibilities in the Greek community about that. If 'Macedonia' was a good enough name for a republic and the Macedonian people wish to call themselves and be known as Macedonia, it is up to Australia to honour and respect their wishes.