In December 1991 asked recognition by the European Union, and the UN, together with Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia. The EU accepted independence of Slovenia and Croatia on the 15th January 1992. Macedonia was not recognized, because Greece did used their veto. Bulgaria was the first country that recognized Macedonia on the 15th January 1992. Greece became chair member on 1st of January 1994 and wanted to arrange the Macedonian issue in their own point of view. The EU-members did not accepted that and Greece started an embargo against Macedonia on the 16th of February: the harbour from Thessaloniki was closed from Macedonian trade (+/-80 % of the Macedonian traffic passes via Thessaloniki).

On the 13th of September 1995 Greece and Macedonia found a solution (under supervision of the EU and UN): Macedonia recognized the Macedonian-Greek border and adopted the national flag. The illegal embargo (although the European court did not found it illegal) costed Macedonia 50 mln dollar a month! This boycot, but also a boycot against the biggest trade partner of Macedonia, Yugolsavia (or what was left from it), caused a lot of economic damage. Macedonia did agree with the boycot under international pressure.
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In 2001 there were a lot of troubles in Macedonia between the Albanian minority and the Macedonian government. These incidents cannot be seen without understanding the Kosovo-crises, because the Kosovo-crises had a lot of impact on Macedonia from April 1999 to June 1999 when the NATO bombed Serbia and Montenegro. A lot of refugees from Kosovo flew to Macedonia, including also people from the Ushtria Clirimtare e Kosoves (UCK=Kosovo Liberation Army). They renamed theirselves with the help of local Macedonian-Albanese people in 2000 the Ushtria Clirimtare Kombetare in Macedonia.

This was after the problems in the Presevo valley, on the "tri-point" Serbia, Kosovo and Macedonia. The problems in the Presevo valley were that Albanese people (also from Kosovo) started their own liberation of "their valley", which was on a strategic point, because the corridor 10 (here again) from Belgrade to Thessaloniki passes through. NATO gave the Serbian army permission to take actions against rebellion Albanese people in the Presevo valley. These rebellions, mostly former UCK members, flew via the tri-piont Serbia-Kosovo-Macedonia (protected by NATO troops) into Macedonia.

Of course a conflict start not just like this. Human rights for the Albanian minorty were not that well in Macedonia from it's creation in 1991: they were not allowed to use their language in the government, they were less representative in the government, army, police and parliament.

For the moment interesting to see a government site from Macedonia: http://www.morm.gov.mk/2001/odbrana/odb62e.htm
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