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SOFIA – The President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev and the interim Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev announced that they do not accept statements from the Republic of North Macedonia (RNM) that contradict international agreements.
Bulgaria does not accept statements and behavior that contradict the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation from 2017 and other international agreements signed by RNM, as stated in the head of state’s response to the events accompanying the inauguration ceremony of the new president in Skopje.
Bulgaria has repeatedly and clearly stated its position that agreements must be followed, noted President Rumen Radev. He also reminds that RNM is a NATO member, which entails corresponding obligations and responsibilities.
I am convinced that the European perspective of RNM depends on strict compliance with international treaties to which it is a party, as well as the negotiation framework approved by the European Council in July 2022, which, for the information of the responsible institutions in RNM, will not be revised, points out President Radev.
Bulgaria has repeatedly and clearly stated its position that the agreements must be strictly followed, states the interim Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev. It also reminds that RNM is a NATO member.
We are convinced that the European perspective of the Republic of North Macedonia will entirely depend on the comprehensive implementation on its part of the agreements approved in July 2022, adds Glavchev.
During the swearing-in, the newly elected president of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska stated that she would respect the Constitution and defend the independence of Macedonia, using the name the country had before the Prespa Agreement with Greece in 2018. Her statement caused a sharp reaction and warnings about the European path of the country from the European Commission and Greece.
The President of the EC Ursula von der Leyen warned RNM that it must adhere to the international agreements, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece.
It is crucial for North Macedonia to continue its successful path towards EU accession that the country continues on its path of reforms and fully respects the binding agreements, including the Prespa Agreement, wrote von der Leyen on her “X” platform profile.
According to the Prespa Agreement between Skopje and Athens from 2018, the former Republic of Macedonia committed to changing its name to the Republic of North Macedonia. This was done with changes to the constitution of RNM.
The Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis has linked the European future of RNM with the observance of the Prespa Agreement.
The provocative decision by the new president of North Macedonia to breach the official text of her oath and to name her country differently represents an unlawful and unacceptable initiative. An act that violates the Prespa Agreement and the very constitution of the state. In this way, it also undermines the future of the country, as already stated by the Presidents of the EC Ursula von der Leyen and of the European Council Charles Michel, adds the Greek Prime Minister.
According to him, any progress in bilateral relations, as well as any step by Skopje towards Europe, depends on the sincere observance of the agreements – from the accurate use of the constitutional name of the neighboring country and avoiding provocations.
In her election campaign, Siljanovska repeatedly declared that she would not use “North” when mentioning the name of the country in her official statements. (12-13.05.2024)