FM Gerapetritis: North Macedonia’s leaders’ decision about the Prespa Agreement

The decision by the new state and political leadership of North Macedonia “not to use in domestic public statements the country’s constitutional name” systematically and persistently is a “flagrant violation of the Prespa Agreement, which foresees the uniform use of the name ‘North Macedonia’ both domestically and abroad,” Greek Foreign Affairs Minister George Gerapetritis said in Luxembourg on Monday.

In doorstep statements before the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council, Gerapetritis added, “Compliance to international law and international agreements constitutes the foundation of international peace and security, and its selective application is not acceptable. The path towards European accession is not possible without the full implementation of the European acquis and with full and unconditional compliance to international law and international agreements.”

Gerapetritis also referred to the Cyprus Republic, noting, “We stand by the side of Cyprus, which is now being threatened brutally and cynically.”

The Council’s agenda includes the crisis in Gaza and the war in Ukraine. They will also discuss developments in Georgia and the deterioration of the security situation in Sub-Saharan Africa, while the foreign ministers will also hold a working lunch with their counterparts from the Western Balkans.