Visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier referred to a "courageous and brave step" forward for peace and stability in the wider SE region, speaking during an official visit to Athens and in praise of the provisional Prespa Agreement between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM).
He made the statement during a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, whose government has invested much of its remaining political "capital" in negotiating, signing and now waiting to ratify the agreement. If successful, on both sides of the border, the agreement would finally resolve the long-standing fYRoM "name issue".
In response, Tsipras said "we're opening new paths of cooperation, adding a positive sign to efforts for peace and stability in the southeast Mediterranean ... it (agreement) is a model for understanding between two peoples who want to live in peace without one underestimating the other's history and identity."
Earlier, Steinmeier was received by his Greek counterpart, Prokopis Pavlopoulos.
Both the Greek and German head of states wield ceremonial powers.
