North Macedonia's President Sparks Renewed Dispute with Greece Over Country's Name

North Macedonia's newly inaugurated President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, has reignited a long-standing dispute with Greece by referring to her country as simply 'Macedonia' during her inauguration ceremony on May 12, 2024. This move has jeopardized North Macedonia's EU membership prospects and prompted Greece to threaten a veto on accession negotiations.

Why this matters: The dispute has significant implications for regional stability and the European Union's expansion plans, as it may set a precedent for other countries with naming disputes. Furthermore, it could lead to a delay or even a halt in North Macedonia's accession to the EU, affecting its economic and political development.

The controversy centers around the 2018 Prespa Agreement, which was designed to resolve the decades-long name dispute between the two nations. The agreement required North Macedonia to adopt its current name in exchange for Greece lifting its objections to the country's NATO and EU membership bids.

During her inauguration, Siljanovska-Davkova stated, 'I declare that I will exercise the office of President of Macedonia conscientiously and responsibly, respect the constitution and the laws and protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Macedonia.' This statement led the Greek ambassador to leave the ceremony in protest.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis condemned the president's remarks, labeling them as 'illegal and unacceptable' and a 'gross violation' of the Prespa Agreement. He warned that if North Macedonia disregards the agreement, its path to Europe would remain closed.

Siljanovska-Davkova's office defended her statement, claiming she was exercising her 'personal right to self-determination and self-identification.' North Macedonia's prime minister-elect, Hristijan Mickoski, supported her stance, calling it 'honourable,' which further angered Greece.

The renewed dispute adds another layer of complexity to North Macedonia's EU accession process, which is already facing objections from Bulgaria. Bulgaria insists that North Macedonia acknowledge the Bulgarian heritage of its people, requiring constitutional changes that demand a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.

The Prespa Agreement, signed in 2018, was a significant milestone aimed at resolving the name dispute that had hindered North Macedonia's international aspirations for decades. The agreement allowed the country to join NATO in 2019 and paved the way for EU membership negotiations.

As the situation unfolds, the international community will be closely monitoring the developments. Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis's stance remains firm: 'If some believe they can disregard the agreement, they should understand that their path to Europe will remain closed.'

Key Takeaways

• North Macedonia's President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova referred to her country as simply "Macedonia" during her inauguration, reigniting a dispute with Greece.
• Greece threatens to veto North Macedonia's EU membership bid due to the name dispute.
• The 2018 Prespa Agreement required North Macedonia to adopt its current name in exchange for Greece lifting objections to NATO and EU membership.
• Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis condemned the president's remarks as "illegal and unacceptable" and a "gross violation" of the Prespa Agreement.
• The dispute jeopardizes North Macedonia's EU membership prospects and adds complexity to its accession process.