By Penelope Galliou

Reactions and warnings of consequences for North Macedonia are still being provoked everywhere challenge of the new president of the neighboring country, Gordana Silianovska, who swore in the name of “Macedonia” and not the “Republic of North Macedonia” as stipulated by the Prespa Agreement. Provocation that he condemned in a strong tone, after the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kyriakos Mitsotakis, characterizing the action as illegal and impermissible.

“The provocative choice of the new President of North Macedonia to violate the official text of her oath and to call her country by a different name is an illegal and impermissible initiative,” the Greek Prime Minister stressed in his post shortly before leaving for Ankara, warning at the same time 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.”

Mrs. herself Silianovska, however, despite the unanimity of the Greek and European reactions, it repeated today, unrepentantly, twice, the challenge by responding to a post by Sweden with reference to the name “Macedonia” without specification, but also with a statement from its Press Office, insisting on the use of the name Macedonia orally. “In her public appearances, she has the right to use the name Macedonia, as an act of personal right to self-determination and self-determination, respecting basic human rights and freedoms and in accordance with European values ​​and principles,” the statement said.

In the same announcement, however, it is clarified that the text of the swearing-in that the new President signed during her swearing-in, mentioned the constitutional name of the country, i.e. Republic of North Macedonia. “The official text of the oath, as it was prepared by the services of the Parliament, was signed with the constitutional name of the country, as defined by the Constitution” a clarification that was quick to respond to the internal fire that the newly elected president receives. After all, even the outgoing leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia was quick to distance themselves from the challenge, declaring the country’s commitment to international obligations. “We call on all political parties, especially elected officials, to be vigilant. Maintaining the country’s Euro-Atlantic path is a strategic interest and a guarantee for long-term security and stability,” he recalled in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the neighboring country.

In the same atmosphere and with clear annoyance, the acting Minister of Justice also fired shots at the new president, Crenar Loga, stressing that the swearing-in is invalid after the choice of the new president to reject the country’s constitutional name. Maista himself showed the way to resolve the issue that arose “Whether there is a repetition of the process, or that Jovan Mitrevski, who is currently the president of the Parliament of North Macedonia, takes over as president” as Mr. Loga pointed out.

From the first moment, the reactions and dissatisfaction not only of Athens but also of the EU institutions were registered as the Prespa agreement is an integral part of North Macedonia’s accession process. The position of the representative of the Commission for foreign policy, Peter Stano, was clear, recalling that “What is expected from North Macedonia is clearly stated in the last progress report on the enlargement, last autumn.

And this report says that in regional cooperation the country must maintain good relations with other countries and continue to fulfill its commitments in regional initiatives, existing bilateral agreements must be implemented in good faith by all parties, including the Agreement of Prespa between North Macedonia and Greece and to the Friendship and Good Neighbor and Cooperation agreement with Bulgaria, including its protocols. These are the expectations of the EU. At the point where we are now they have an opportunity to convince everyone in the EU that they are committed to their country’s European future and that they will do their best to move forward from their side on the issue of membership,” remarked Mr. Stano.

Earlier, North Macedonia’s commitments were also reminded by the diplomatic service of the EU stating in a statement that “The EU recalls the importance of fully respecting the existing, legally binding agreements, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece”.

Reactions and disagreements over the Silianovska provocation were also recorded by the largest Albanian opposition party, which speaks of violating the country’s constitution. “We regret Silianovska-Davkova’s speech. With her very first sentence, she violated the Constitution, not mentioning the word “Democracy” or the name “Republic of North Macedonia”, with all the implications that such a thing can have,” said the party’s deputy. Arber Ademi.

Bulgaria, through its president, also condemned Silianovska Rumen Radev, who stated that “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.

State Department: Respect the agreement

A message to the new president of North Macedonia to respect the Prespa Agreement was sent by State Department. In particular, the representative of the US Department of State stated that the United States remains firmly committed to the Prespa Agreement and the integration of North Macedonia into the Euro-Atlantic institutions.

The position of the representative of the American ministry was made in response to a question of the Greek correspondents in Washington about the fact that the new president violated the Prespa Agreement, calling the country “Macedonia” and not “North Macedonia, as is its constitutional name, according to during her swearing-in ceremony.

For his part, the State Department spokesman said that “as a new government is formed and a new prime minister is chosen, we will continue to reinforce the importance of respecting international agreements and the benefits of full membership in the European Union.”