Protesters clash with police as Greek PM unveils his vision for future

September 09

03:53 2018

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Protesters clashed with police in Thessaloniki, on Saturday, September 8, while Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras unveiled his vision for the future during the opening ceremony of the 83rd Thessaloniki International Trade Fair.

Protesters clash with police during a demonstration against the agreement reached by Greece and Macedonia to resolve a dispute over the former Yugoslav republic's name, in Thessaloniki, Greece, September 8, 2018. (AFP)

At a keynote policy speech, Tsipras defended his agreement with Greece's lenders in August of 2015, as he said today the country could face the future with certainty, a future that belongs to those who struggled during the eight years of austerity, he added.

Meanwhile, Greeks threw sticks and stones at police who responded with teargas and stun grenades, during a protest over Greece's deal with neighboring Macedonia to end a decades-old dispute over its name.

Thousands of demonstrators rallied in Thessaloniki, the capital of the Greek province of Macedonia, and gathered around the statue of Alexander the Great while waving Greeks flags and singing the Greek national anthem. Furious protesters said the name agreement did not represent them and was a betrayal towards Greeks.