Greece in name dispute with Macedonia

Greece's government, angered by a U.S. decision to recognize the name of neighboring Macedonia, said Friday it would block its Balkan neighbor from joining NATO or the European Union unless the name dispute is resolved. Greece objects to the country's constitutional name, the Republic of Macedonia, because Athens says it implies territorial claims toward Greece, which has a territory called Macedonia. The United States, however, announced Thursday that it was recognizing the name, bringing a sharp complaint from the Greek government. Greece's warning Friday appeared aimed at preventing European nations from following the U.S. lead. "It is well known that the accession of a European country to the EU or NATO requires the unanimous agreement of all existing members," government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said.