The strong reaction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was caused by Gordana Silianovska’s reference to the name “Macedonia”. After the departure of the Greek ambassador Sofia Filippidou during the speech of the new president of North Macedonia, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement, declaring that “the Prespa Agreement is being violated”, further emphasizing that “further progress in its bilateral relations with North Macedonia as well as the latter’s European course depend on the full implementation of the Prespa Agreement and above all on the use of the country’s constitutional name”.

The announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in more detail:

“During her swearing-in today in the Parliament and despite the fact that the official text of the oath dictated to her referred to the country as “North Macedonia”, the new President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mrs Silianovska-Davkova, chose to call her country “Macedonia”.

This act blatantly violates the Prespa Agreement as well as the Constitution of the neighboring country, which has been harmonized with its international obligations. The Greek government, despite the objections it had expressed as an opposition during the ratification of the agreement, respected it as a ratified international treaty that takes precedence over any other provision of law.

Greece, in this context, categorically states that further progress in its bilateral relations with North Macedonia as well as the latter’s European course depend on the full implementation of the Prespa Agreement and above all on the use of the country’s constitutional name”.

Reaction from Ursula Von der Leyen as well

“In order for North Macedonia to continue its successful path towards EU membership, it is of the utmost importance that the country continues its reform process and fully respects its binding agreements, including the Prespa Agreement,” said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with her post on the X platform.