Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis delivered a new message to the leadership of North Macedonia during his visit to Florina, located just a few kilometres from the border with the neighbouring country, on Tuesday, Novinite reports.
He said in an interview with the Open TV channel that “if they [the new leadership] insist on challenging the essence of the Prespa Agreement regarding the name of their country and call it what they want, they should know that their European path will remain closed,” referring to joining the EU.
He also emphasised that the political leadership of North Macedonia must take the provisions of the international agreement seriously in order to avoid moving towards international isolation. Mitsotakis added:
“Our neighbors want us to have good relations too – the citizens of North Macedonia do not want either tensions or nationalism. I hope and wish they will come to their senses and return to the right path.”
Mitsotakis said that after the completion of the election campaign in North Macedonia, the country needs to honour its international commitments. The Greek government has not submitted three important agreements with North Macedonia to the parliament for ratification. This decision, despite pressure from SYRIZA, is due to Greece’s concern that North Macedonia consistently and sincerely honour international agreements.
Mitsotakis was welcomed by the Mayor of Florina, Vassilis Giannakis, and the Governor of the West Macedonia region, George Amanatidis. Before addressing the citizens, the prime minister walked along the main pedestrian street.
Long-standing dispute in North Macedonia
10 days ago, the newly elected president of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, fulfilled her election promise by dropping the word “North” from the country’s name during her swearing-in and opposing the 2018 Prespa Agreement with Greece. The act sparked protests from Greece and accusations of constitutional violations by the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI).
Bulgaria strongly rejected any actions or statements by North Macedonia that contradict the 2017 Friendship Treaty and other international agreements, emphasising that North Macedonia’s European aspirations depend on strict adherence to these treaties.
President Rumen Radev and acting prime minister Dimitar Glavchev emphasised Bulgaria’s position following controversial remarks by the new President of North Macedonia on keeping the name “Macedonia” until 2018, which provoked sharp reactions from Greece and the European Commission.
