A letter detailing the violations of the Prespa Agreement by the new government in North Macedonia was sent by the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) to US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O’Brien.

In the letter, HALC’s executive director, Eddie Zemenidis, details how the new government in the neighboring country has undermined the agreement, thereby threatening regional stability and the region’s European outlook. In fact, Mr. Zemenidis warns that without consequences for such violations, the government of North Macedonia may escalate its rhetoric and actions, potentially destabilizing the Western Balkans.

As stated in the letter, the Prespa Agreement was a landmark treaty between Greece and North Macedonia that resolved a long-standing dispute over the latter’s name. “The agreement stipulated that the country would be officially called the Republic of North Macedonia, paving the way for its inclusion in the NATO and its possible accession to the European Union. However, the recent actions of the government of North Macedonia have called into question its commitment to the treaty”, it is pointed out.

His letter HALC highlights several instances where the new government in Skopje has allegedly undermined the agreement. In May, President Gordana Silianovska referred to her country as “Macedonia” during her official inauguration, thus defying the terms of the Prespa Agreement.

This is followed by other similar comments from Prime Minister Christian Mickoski in June, where he expressed disdain for the country’s new name, calling it “disgraceful”.

The letter notes that this pattern of behavior has continued, as the two leaders have made statements that directly contradict the agreement, including the term “Aegean Macedoniay”, which refers to a region in Greece. The HALC director maintains that these actions are deliberate and flagrantly violate both the spirit and the letter of the Prespa Agreement.

The letter also criticizes the US ambassador to North Macedonia, ‘Angela Price’ Angeler, as the US diplomat claims she has not taken the clearest stance on the issue. In particular, it is noted that her comments about “certain margins” in the agreement undermine the stability and neighborly relations that the agreement seeks to promote. In this light, the letter urges the State Department to clarify its position on the Prespa Agreement and to address the contradictions that exist in the statements of the American ambassador.

Continuing, HALC draws attention to the executive order signed by President Biden on June 8, 2021, which cites obstruction of the Prespa Agreement as a reason for the imposition of US sanctions.

The decree authorizes sanctions against those complicit in violations of regional security agreements, including the Prespa Agreement.

Therefore, the Greek-American organization urges the US to remind North Macedonia of this executive order and the possible consequences of its actions.

Finally, as tensions rise the letter recognizes that it is important to have a public and clear response to the undermining of the Prespa Agreement.

The letter concludes by calling on the US to work to promote stability in the region and ensure adherence to the Prespa Agreement.