The dispute over Macedonia 's state name with Greece began when the country declared independence in 1991 . Gruevski said the Greek government is `` rejecting '' Macedonia 's advances to open talks and revealed that he tried to contact Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras , but his offers were rejected . In 2011 the International Court of Justice ruled that Greece was wrong to block Macedonia 's bid to join in 2008 . Macedonia already ` ` sufficiently '' meets the political criteria to enter EU , according to European Commission .
The dispute over Macedonia 's state name with Greece began when the country declared independence in 1991 . In 2011 the International Court of Justice ruled that Greece was wrong to block Macedonia 's bid to join in 2008 . Macedonia already ` ` sufficiently '' meets the political criteria to enter EU , according to European Commission .