The new president of North Macedonia, Gordana Silianovksa, appears unmoved, who in her post today continues to call her country “Macedonia”.

Thanking the Swedish Embassy in Skopje for their best wishes on her inauguration, Silianovska says: “Thank you for the warm congratulations. Sweden and the EU will, as always, have the Presidency of Macedonia as a dedicated ally.”

The new “foul” by the president, which goes against the provisions of the Prespa Agreement and the country’s Constitution, caused the reaction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia.

In a statement it issued it states: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the firm determination of the country towards the unconditional fulfillment of the provisions of the Constitution as well as all the international obligations it has undertaken, such as full compliance with the Strategic Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of North Macedonia and the Hellenic Republic, known as the Prespa Agreement.

» Over the past seven years, the two neighboring countries have developed an extremely high level of political dialogue, which has resulted in the proliferation of economic cooperation and the building of positive relations between the peoples. These benefits resulted in the country joining NATO, opening negotiations with the European Union as well as upgrading the Strategic Partnership to a Strategic Dialogue with the United States.

» We call on all political actors to be vigilant, especially elected government officials. Maintaining the country’s Euro-Atlantic path represents a fundamental strategic interest and is a guarantor of the country’s long-term security and stability.”

Moreover, earlier the acting Minister of Justice of North Macedonia had raised the issue of canceling Silianovska’s swearing-in because she called her country “Macedonia”.

In fact, Silianovska ostentatiously ignored the text of the oath recited by the outgoing Speaker of the House, Jovan Mitreski, calling on the new president to repeat it. In it the country was referred to as “North Macedonia”.

With his post on Facebook, the acting Minister of Justice of North Macedonia raised the issue of the validity of the swearing in of the new president, due to the violation of the country’s Constitution and the Prespa Agreement.

It typically states that “the disrespect of the constitutional name of the state renders Silianovska’s oath invalid” and that the process should either be repeated or the outgoing speaker of the parliament, Jovan Mitrefksi, should assume the duties of president of the country.

This move caused a strong reaction from Athens and also from European officials. THE Ursula von der Leyen he stressed that “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 course and fully respects its binding agreements, including the Prespa Agreement”.

For his part, the president of the European Council Charles Michel described as “very disappointing” the fact that the new president of North Macedonia did not use the country’s constitutional name and pointed out that “the EU recalls the importance of the continuous implementation of legally binding agreements, including the Prespa agreement with Greece”.

Mitsotakis: Illegal and impermissible attitude of the new president

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent a stern message today to the new leadership of North Macedonia. The Greek prime minister criticized Silianovska’s move to omit the word “North” during her swearing-in yesterday, saying that this provocative choice is “illegal and impermissible” as it violates the Prespa Agreement and the country’s Constitution.

Mr. Mitsotakis underlines: “Greece rejects manipulations like those with which Mrs. Silianovska is opening her term. He calls on her to return to her legal duties and to the behaviors that derive from her role. We categorically state that we will not accept such slips. And we repeat that any progress in bilateral relations, as well as any step taken by Skopje towards Europe, depend on the sincere observance of the agreements”.

The post of the Prime Minister

“The provocative choice of the new President of North Macedonia to violate the official text of her oath and call her country by a different name is an illegal and impermissible initiative. Act, which violates the Prespa Agreement and the very Constitution of its state. However, undermining its future, as already stated by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

It is known that, as the opposition, New Democracy voted against the 2019 Agreement. In fact, warning at the time of the problems that its failures would create. As a government, however, we respected the Greek signature to an international treaty, binding for the country. Unfortunately, the recent development vindicates our steadfastly cautious position.

Greece rejects manipulations such as those with which Mrs Silianovska is opening her term. He calls on her to return to her legal duties and to the behaviors that derive from her role.

We categorically state that we will not accept similar slips. And we repeat that any progress in bilateral relations, as well as any step taken by Skopje towards Europe, depend on the sincere observance of the agreements. From the correct use of the constitutional name of the neighboring country. And, of course, from avoiding challenges” writes the prime minister in his post.

The ambassador of Greece to North Macedonia, Sofia Filippidou, who had been invited to the Parliament session for the swearing-in of Gordana Silianovska, left as a sign of protest about “Macedonia” and the violation of the Prespa Agreement.

Fierce reaction from Sofia as well

“Bulgaria does not accept statements and behaviors that violate the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation of 2017 or any other treaty signed by the Republic of North Macedonia” emphasizes in his statement the president of Bulgaria, Rumen Radevabout the recent election campaign in the Republic of North Macedonia and the swearing-in ceremony of the country’s new president yesterday, Sunday.

“Bulgaria has repeatedly stated that the agreements must be respected and implemented,” he emphasizes and reminds North Macedonia that “it is a member of NATO, which entails corresponding obligations and responsibilities.”

He adds: “I am deeply convinced that the European perspective of North Macedonia depends on the strict implementation of the international agreements of which it is a part, as well as the Negotiating Framework approved by the European Council in July 2022. The institutions of the state of the Republic of North Macedonia should know that the Negotiating Framework cannot be revised”.