Greece has accused North Macedonia of a “gross violation” of an international agreement after the country’s new Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said the use of “North” was “shameful”.
Following the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991, the use of the name ‘Macedonia’ was disputed between the neighboring Southeastern European countries of Greece and the then-Republic of Macedonia.
To calm Athens’ fears of possible territorial claims towards the Aegean Macedonia region in northern Greece, in 2018 the UN-backed Prespa Agreement saw Skopje agree to change the country's name from ‘Macedonia’ to ‘North Macedonia’.
But on Monday, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said that the North Macedonian prime minister’s comments were “a gross violation” of the agreement.
Gerapetritis told EU heads of diplomacy in Luxembourg: “Respect for international law and international agreements is the basis of international peace and security; it does not assume its selective application.
“To not use the constitutional name of the state during public speeches in the country is a gross violation.”
The decision to change the name was also necessary to open the way for North Macedonia to join the EU and NATO.
North Macedonia joined the military alliance in 2020, but its negotiations with the EU are blocked by Bulgaria's demands regarding the status of the Bulgarian minority in the country.
To calm Athens’ fears of possible territorial claims towards the Aegean Macedonia region in northern Greece, in 2018 the UN-backed Prespa Agreement saw Skopje agree to change the country's name from ‘Macedonia’ to ‘North Macedonia’.
But on Monday, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said that the North Macedonian prime minister’s comments were “a gross violation” of the agreement.
Gerapetritis told EU heads of diplomacy in Luxembourg: “Respect for international law and international agreements is the basis of international peace and security; it does not assume its selective application.
“To not use the constitutional name of the state during public speeches in the country is a gross violation.”
The decision to change the name was also necessary to open the way for North Macedonia to join the EU and NATO.
North Macedonia joined the military alliance in 2020, but its negotiations with the EU are blocked by Bulgaria's demands regarding the status of the Bulgarian minority in the country.
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