With their governments now on speaking terms, North Macedonia and Greece have promised to slash roaming charges for traveling mobile phone users. Greece North Macedonia roaming fees

On Tuesday, digital policy ministers from the two countries said the measure, due to take effect before the summer, results from a landmark agreement between the neighboring countries that is ending a decades-old dispute.

Until last week, North Macedonia used only Macedonia as the country’s name. The former Yugoslav republic formally changed its name to address concerns from Greece, which has a large province of Macedonia.

Greece is a popular summer vacation destination for North Macedonia residents.

Greek minister Nikos Pappas said the roaming charges abolition deal was the first of many practical steps that will be taken to “usher in a new era of friendship.”

“Let’s make the Prespa Agreement a people’s agreement,” Papas said, adding that the deal should produce results that improve people’s lives on both sides of the border, such as communication capabilities, mobility opportunities and economic prospects.

Only growth perspectives

Katerina Notopoulou, who is a candidate for the mayor of Thessaloniki and the former deputy minister for Macedonia and Thrace, told EURACTIV.com that the Prespa Agreement would turn the Balkan region from Europe’s warehouse to a peaceful cooperation-driven place.

For Thessaloniki, she said, the name deal paves the way for stronger growth perspectives.

“It is well known that the structures of the two countries’ economies complement each other, so there are no unfair competition issues – the opposite. It is a very crucial issue for exports,” she noted.

She added that North Macedonia and Greece were excellent trading partners and that there are already talks about rail connections and transport networks, social structures and infrastructure.

“All this will create a new setting in the Balkans,” she said. Greece North Macedonia roaming fees