The decision of its state and political leadership North Macedonia not to use “in public speech at home the constitutional name of the country” constitutes a flagrant violation of it Prespa Agreement, stressed the minister of foreign affairs George Gerapetritisattending the council of competent ministers in Luxembourg.

Giorgos Gerapetritis underlined that “compliance with international law and international agreements is the basis of international peace and security and does not mean its selective application”. At the same time, he noted that Greece stands “by the side of Cyprus, which is currently being threatened crudely and cynically” pointing out that “the threat against a member state, against its existence and sovereignty, is an unacceptable action”.

Specifically, the foreign minister stated:

“We are in the midst of two terrible wars, which are plaguing the world. Russian aggression in Ukraine and the war in the Middle East. Especially for the war in the Middle East, let us say that despite the efforts made in relation to the peace process, there is still an escalation and expansion of hostilities.

It is an unacceptable action to threaten a member state, against its existence and sovereignty. We stand by Cyprus, which is currently being brutally and cynically threatened. In relation to the Western Balkans, which we will discuss today, Greece has always been the vital force for the integration of the Western Balkan states into the European family. We continue to support this perspective on the basis of the foreseen windfalls and the Member States’ own capacities.

In this context, I would like to emphasize that, especially in relation to North Macedonia, the state and political leadership of the country systematically and persistently decided not to use the country’s constitutional name in public discourse at home. This constitutes a flagrant violation of the Prespa Agreement, which provides for the uniform use of the name North Macedonia both internally and externally.

Compliance with international law and international agreements is the basis of international peace and security and does not mean its selective application. The path towards European integration can only be understood with full adoption of the European acquis and full and unconditional compliance with international law and international agreements”.