The Prespa Response

Written for Kosovo Online by: Zeljko Sajn

Following the presidential and parliamentary elections in North Macedonia, which revealed sharp disagreements among political parties and the public's stance towards the hypocritical policies of the West, the country now faces the task of forming a government and charting a new path towards a better future. This includes addressing numerous internal issues and foreign policy challenges, particularly regarding the EU and neighboring countries.

The new President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, stirred controversy during her inaugural oath by not using the full constitutional name of the country as mandated by the Prespa Agreement (Republic of North Macedonia), but instead simply said "Macedonia." This act was fully supported by the future Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, leader of the VMRO-DPMNE party, who emphasized that he would follow the same principle.

This move by the newly elected president during her inauguration prompted the Greek ambassador to Skopje, Sofia Filippidou, to demonstratively leave the parliament hall. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also responded, openly stating that Greece would block North Macedonia's path to EU integration if the Prespa Agreement was not respected "erga omnes" (towards all). Mickoski replied to Mitsotakis, suggesting that if he believed the Prespa Agreement was not being honored, he should address the issue at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. On the other hand, Macedonian media pointed out that Greece has yet to implement anything from the Prespa Agreement in their country, which is not surprising given that North Macedonia constantly faces new conditions for achieving EU membership, while previous promises are forgotten. Although the signing of the Prespa Agreement promised Euro-Atlantic integration, North Macedonia has only joined NATO, not the EU. In response to these accusations, Mitsotakis stated that Greece had deliberately not ratified the memorandums precisely because of the assumption that the new government would behave in this manner.

However, both Gordana Siljanovska Davkova and future Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski emphasized that they would respect the Prespa Agreement. Indeed, the new president did so by signing an oath stating she is the President of the Republic of North Macedonia. It remains to be seen what formulation for naming the country Siljanovska Davkova will use on the international stage, starting with her visit to the Vatican on Thursday, May 23, where she will meet with the head of the Catholic Church. She may also meet with Rumen Radev, the President of Bulgaria, who will also be in the Vatican for the Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the enlighteners of Slavic literacy. After this visit, the new Macedonian president will be received by the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella.

Greece will closely monitor the behavior of the Macedonian president during these first international visits to ensure she respects the Prespa Agreement. Otherwise, as Mitsotakis promised, Greece will veto North Macedonia's further path to EU integration over the weekend. North Macedonia has yet to remove the Bulgarian barrier on this path. Bulgaria, as a reminder, requires North Macedonia to amend its constitution to include the Bulgarian people as a constitutive element.

Changing the constitution requires a two-thirds majority in the Sobranje (Parliament), which means 80 out of 120 members. According to the future Prime Minister Mickoski, his party is on track to achieve a two-thirds majority. Currently, they have a secure 61 seats, which is enough to form a government.

All these issues have surrounded the new president at the very beginning of her term. The path the country will take under her leadership remains to be seen. However, it is crucial to remember that EU integration is a strategic goal of the country, and Greece and Bulgaria, as EU members, will likely have more support from Europe than a country that has yet to join the union.