Neighboring countries - Athens warns Skopje against nationalist turnaround
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned the political leadership of North Macedonia and the right-wing Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski against using the old country name "Republic of Macedonia."
Regarding Skopje's anticipated EU membership, Mitsotakis stated during a speech in parliament that the new Skopje government had "made a bad start" and had violated international commitments. "Stop making the bill without the host's permission," Mitsotakis said in a speech broadcast by Greek radio. For EU expansion, all member states must agree.
Government Change in Skopje
The nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party won the parliamentary elections in North Macedonia in May and formed a new government at the end of June with smaller parties. The nationalists ended a seven-year tenure of power by the Social Democrats. These had signed an agreement with the then Athenian government and under UN mediation in 2018, which ended the name dispute. The small Balkan country then changed its name from Macedonia to North Macedonia. In return, Athens accepted that there is a Macedonian language and nation. This paved the way for North Macedonia's 2020 NATO membership. Athens had rejected the old name because its northern province has the same name.
Since Mickoski's inauguration as prime minister, the old country name has been used at the highest level repeatedly. Mickoski himself recently said, "I will call myself what I want," and accused Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis of not being able to or wanting to understand the agreement. The new North Macedonian state president, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, also used the old name at her inauguration last month, causing a diplomatic incident. The developments raised concerns in the EU, as the name dispute was considered settled.
- Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greek Prime Minister, has cautioned the leadership of North Macedonia, specifically Hristijan Mickoski, against reemploying the old country name "Republic of Macedonia," which could potentially disrupt the ongoing diplomatic relations between the neighboring countries.
- Following the recent government change in Skopje, with the Nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party gaining power, there have been renewed discussions surrounding the country's name, stirring international concern due to previous agreements made with Greece.
- Mitsotakis, while addressing the parliament, criticized the new Skopje government for their perceived disregard of international commitments and for moving forward without obtaining Athens' approval on changes to the name.
- As an EU member state, Greece, along with all other EU member states, plays a decisive role in North Macedonia's anticipated EU membership and expansion, emphasizing the importance of adhering to international agreements.
- During his presidency, Mickoski and other North Macedonian officials, such as state president Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, have been using the old country name, which has caused tension in the diplomatic arena and renewed concerns about the stability of the long-awaited EU expansion.
- In the context of ongoing discussions and debates pertaining to the country name, Mitsotakis has maintained that each country has the right to choose its own name but should do so in a manner that respects international agreements and preserves the region's peace and stability.
