Greece criticized North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski after remarks about an “unresolved and existing Macedonian issue” during a speech to expatriates in New Jersey.
Athens called the statements a “provocation” and stressed that North Macedonia’s EU accession hinges on full respect for the Prespa Agreement on the country’s name.
“The issue is permanently and irrevocably settled,” Greece’s Foreign Ministry asserted, warning against nationalist rhetoric.
The ministry emphasized that adherence to the Prespa Agreement is crucial for bilateral progress and North Macedonia’s EU path.
Since taking office, Mickoski’s nationalistic stance and rejection of the Prespa Agreement have stalled Skopje’s EU aspirations, effectively delinking its candidacy from that of Albania, which is now progressing independently.
Greece has withheld ratifying key agreements with North Macedonia, citing Skopje’s failures in updating public documents and signs with its constitutional name.
Recent issues with expiring passports during the transition phase exacerbated tensions.
Mickoski’s alignment with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and apparent support from US conservative circles add another layer of complexity.
Growing Russian influence in North Macedonia is also seen as an alarming factor for European stability.