The decision was the first major policy move to be announced by Washington following the re-election of President George W.
Bush on Wednesday.
According to the Macedonian News Agency, the State Department has informed Greece that Washington has recognised the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia by its disputed name "Macedonia", over which Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis has allegedly postponed his trip to Brussels where he was expected to attend a meeting of the Council of Europe. The minister accused the US of acting unilaterally.
Athens opposed adoption of the name since the republic won independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Until now it had the support of all NATO allies, except Turkey, for refusing recognition. They have referred to it in all documents by the acronym FYROM, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Molyviatis said Greece lodged an immediate protest with U.S. Ambassador Thomas Miller.
"I called the (U.S.) ambassador to whom I lodged a complaint for the U.S. decision," Molyviatis told reporters. "Apart from
our protest, I noted the many negative effects that this unilateral U.S. decision will have."
Macedonia is also a member of the U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq.
Macedonia is also the name of a northern Greek province, the birthplace of Alexander the Great. The two neighbours have been
involved in U.N.-led talks about a name that would be acceptable to both sides since 1993.