The minimum you must know

The Republic of North Macedonia is a non-coastal country on the northern border of Greece. Historically under alternating Serbian and Bulgarian rule, the country along with Serbia became part of much larger communist Yugoslavia from the second global conflict until North Macedonia's peaceful return to independence in 1991, when it became a capitalist democracy. The country is a member of NATO and has been a candidate for European Union membership since 2005.

Macedonia was mentioned throughout the Christian Bible, and was where the Gospel was received from St. Paul. Macedonia was also where St. Paul's subsequent missionary labors took place. Communist countries traditionally won't recognize religions. But the nomenclature and perhaps location holds religious importance to Christians.

Greece initially couldn't agree to the Macedonian name for its northern bordering neighbor because it possibly implied ownership of Greece, Bulgaria, Albania and Serbia that hadn't been agreed upon. Greece peacefully acquiesced, and started recognizing the country as North Macedonia in 2019.

President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova spoke eloquently about peace at the United Nations.

North Macedonia is at peace globally.