The European Union and the United States are sending a strong message to North Macedonia, adding to Greece's clear warnings following the provocative moves of the country's new president, 71-year-old nationalist Gordana Siljanovska, who insisted at her inauguration on calling her country Macedonia rather than North Macedonia.
Eva Metis Koutoumanou
As reported by the Hellenic Daily News from the first moment, on Sunday, May 12, when it took place, this move by Siljanovska had caused the withdrawal of Greece's ambassador to North Macedonia, Sofia Filippidou, from the swearing-in ceremony, as a sign of protest.
In the wake of the elections held in the neighboring country, the State Department spokesman said that "as a new government is formed and a new prime minister is chosen, we will continue to reinforce the importance of adherence to international agreements and the benefits of full membership of the European Union."
The State Department spokesperson conveyed the clear message that the United States remains firmly committed to the Prespa Agreement and the integration of North Macedonia into Euro-Atlantic institutions.
The US State Department spokesperson's statement was made in response to a question by Greek correspondents in Washington about the fact that the new president of North Macedonia violated the Prespa Agreement by calling the country "Macedonia" and not "North Macedonia, as is its constitutional name, during her inauguration ceremony.
By actively challenging the Prespa Agreement, calling, not once but twice, her country Macedonia and not North Macedonia, Siljanovska risks not only questioning the legality of her inauguration and hindering her country's European course, but also finding herself in the crosshairs of US sanctions based on the relevant decree signed by US President Joe Biden in 2021.
This presidential executive order (Executive Order 14033) provides for the blocking of US assets and any transactions, as well as a ban on entry into the US for persons who violate or obstruct the implementation of the Prespa Agreement (2018) and the Ohrid Agreement (2001), effectively obstructing the peace and security of the Western Balkans.
The sanctions concern anyone "who is responsible or complicit in or has been directly or indirectly involved in a violation or act that obstructed or threatened the implementation of any regional security, peace, cooperation or mutual recognition agreement or framework or accountability mechanism related to the Western Balkans, including the 2018 Prespa Agreement; Having regard to the 2001 Ohrid Agreement; United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244; the Dayton Agreement; or the Conclusions of the Peace Implementation Conference held at Lancaster House (London Conference) of December 1995, including the decisions or conclusions of the High Representative, the Peace Implementation Council or its Governing Council, or the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia or, as regards the former Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Tribunal Mechanism'.
In the wake of the general outcry she faced, both domestically and in the international community, the office of the newly elected President of North Macedonia issued a statement that Ms. Siljanovska would "adhere to the use of the official constitutional name" but "in her public appearances, the Macedonian president has the right to use the name Macedonia, as an act of individual right to self-determination and self-determination, respecting basic human rights and freedoms and in accordance with European values and principles'.
Even this announcement, however, is a clear violation of the Prespa Agreement as Ms. Siljanovska, as an ordinary citizen, can and has the right to refer in any way she wants to her person and her country, but the Prespa Agreement, which was the "ticket" for the country's accession to NATO and its candidate accession to the European Union, binds her country and there are specific, clear and absolute, prohibitions on the use of the term "Macedonia" by state institutions and those who serve them.
