The dispute over Greece 's state name with Greece began when the country gained independence in 2008 . In 2008 European Commission ruled that Greece was wrong to block Macedonia 's bid to NATO in 2011 . Macedonia already `` sufficiently '' meets the political criteria to open negotiations , according to European Commission .
The dispute over Macedonia 's state name with Greece began when the country gained independence in 1991 . In 2011 the International Court of Justice ruled that Greece was wrong to block Macedonia 's bid to NATO in 2008 . Macedonia already `` sufficiently '' meets the political criteria to open negotiations , according to European Commission .