Newly elected Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski’s decision to use the old name, Macedonia, internally sparked Greek anger and a warning to block EU membership talks, bne IntelliNews reported.
On 23 June, North Macedonia elected Mickoski as prime minister. He stated that he would use the old name, Macedonia, internally, since the new name, North Macedonia, was “shameful.” The country changed its name to North Macedonia after signing the Prespa Agreement in 2018.
However, Mickoski also noted that he would use the new name internationally in order to respect the constitution. Earlier, he claimed that securing EU membership would be the main focus of the government’s programme.
The country’s new president Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova also removed the word “North” from her official oath in parliament when she took office earlier this year. As a result, Greece’s Foreign Affairs Minister George Gerapetritis called the move a “flagrant violation.”
The state and the political leadership of North Macedonia have chosen, systematically and persistently, not to use the country’s constitutional name in domestic public discourse. This constitutes a flagrant violation of the Prespa Agreement, which stipulates the uniform use of the unique name ‘North Macedonia’ domestically and internationally.
Gerapetritis added that respect for international law and international treaties formed the basis of global peace and security and that their selective application was unacceptable.
Accession to the European Union without full incorporation of the European acquis and full and unconditional compliance with International Law and international treaties, including the Prespa Agreement, is unthinkable and unacceptable.
The 2018 agreement with Greece ended a long-running dispute between the two countries, paving the way for North Macedonia to launch EU membership talks. The agreement also allowed the country to become a NATO member.
