The Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) has raised alarms over North Macedonia’s adherence to the Prespa Agreement, a crucial treaty between the former and Greece. In a letter to James O’Brien, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, HALC’s Executive Director Endy Zemenides detailed instances of the new North Macedonian government undermining the agreement, threatening regional stability and integration into the European Union.
The Prespa Agreement, signed in June 2018, was a landmark treaty between Greece and North Macedonia that resolved a long-standing dispute over the latter’s name. The agreement stipulated that the country would officially be known as the “Republic of North Macedonia”, paving the way for its accession to NATO and potential membership in the European Union. However, recent actions by North Macedonia’s government have cast doubt on its commitment to the treaty.
Zemenides’ letter highlights several instances where the new administration in Skopje has allegedly undermined the agreement. In May, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova referred to her country as “Macedonia” in her oath of office, defying the terms of the Prespa Agreement. This was followed by similar remarks from Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in June, where he expressed disdain for the country’s new name, calling it “shameful.” The pattern continued with both leaders making references that directly contravened the accord, including the term “Aegean Macedonia,” which pertains to a region in Greece.
The HALC director argues that these actions are deliberate and in blatant violation of both the spirit and the letter of the Prespa Agreement. Zemenides warns that without consequences for such breaches, North Macedonia’s government may escalate its rhetoric and actions, potentially destabilizing the Western Balkans.
The letter also criticizes the U.S. Ambassador to North Macedonia, Angela Price Aggeler, for not taking a firmer stance on the issue. Zemenides notes that her comments about “certain leeway” in the agreement undermine the stability and neighborly relations the accord seeks to promote. He urges the Department of State to clarify its position on the Prespa Agreement and address the perceived contradictions in Ambassador Aggeler’s statements.
Zemenides calls attention to an executive order signed by President Biden on June 8, 2021, which lists the obstruction of the Prespa Agreement as a sanctionable offense. The order authorizes sanctions against those who are complicit in violations of regional security agreements, including the Prespa Agreement. HALC urges the U.S. to remind North Macedonia of this executive order and the potential consequences of their actions.
As tensions rise, the HALC stresses the importance of publicly and unequivocally addressing the consistent undermining of the Prespa Agreement to maintain stability in the Western Balkans. The letter concludes with a call for the U.S. to work towards promoting stability in the region and ensuring that the Prespa Agreement is upheld.
