The latest challenge to the 2018 Prespa Agreement has sparked a nationalist flare-up in North Macedonia. Just days after newly elected President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova omitted “North” from her oath of office, Hristijan Mickoski, leader of the VMRO-DPMNE party, asserted the nation’s right to choose its name, reigniting tensions with Greece.
Mickoski, who is widely expected to become the next prime minister, stated that it is “a constitutional right of the country to call itself as it chooses.”
This stance represents a direct challenge to the Prespa Agreement, which had settled the long-standing dispute by renaming the country to the Republic of North Macedonia.
Athens quickly condemned Siljanovska-Davkova’s omission of “North,” viewing it as a regression to the previous intransigent policy.
Criticism also came from Bulgaria and the EU Commission.
The “name issue” has been a significant barrier to normalisation between Greece and its northern neighbour since Skopje’s secession from Yugoslavia in 1991.
In response to Siljanovska-Davkova’s statements, Mickoski defended her actions, claiming they were “honourable” and did not violate the Prespa Agreement.
He offered a revised interpretation to align with the latest official narrative from Skopje.
“It’s my personal constitutional right to choose how I call my country,” Mickoski said, emphasising that there was no breach of the agreement.
She also urged Greece to “cease the threats and obstacles” and focus on future relations.
While steering clear of the previous VMRO government’s “antiquization” policy, Mickoski expressed a desire for excellent neighbourly relations, stating that both VMRO-DPMNE and Greece’s ruling New Democracy party have their reservations about the Prespa Agreement.
Mickoski suggested that if Greece believes the agreement was violated, it should seek recourse at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
On Thursday (Greece time) Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said “…We will not ratify the (outstanding Prespa) memoranda unless we are absolutely convinced that the other party complies with all provisions of the agreement.”
