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Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras accepted the resignation of Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on Wednesday and will himself take over the foreign affairs portfolio, Tsipras's office said.

Earlier, Greek media reported that Kotzias had clashed with Defence Minister Panos Kammenos over a deal that aims to end a decades-old name dispute with neighboring Macedonia.

Kotzias was Athens' main negotiator in the talks that led to the June accord with Skopje to rename Greece's northern neighbor North Macedonia. Its fate is now uncertain because a referendum in Macedonia on the deal failed to reach a minimum turnout threshold to make it constitutionally valid.

Kammenos is from a right-wing junior coalition partner vehemently opposed to the accord with Skopje. The right-wing party's support is crucial for Tsipras, leader of the left-wing Syriza party, as he has a razor-thin parliamentary majority.

Greek media reported on Wednesday that Kotzias and Kammenos had argued during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Greece's parliament is also meant to ratify the name deal.



REUTERS