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Mitsotakis: I believe that North Macedonia will realize that it is not in its interest to create problems with Greece

by AI | 02.Dec 2024 | Europe in brief AI

North Macedonia cannot escape from this. I have seen in the last two months that the Government has realized this to a certain extent. What I expect, not only me, because the issue is not bilateral, but also concerns Europe, and to some extent also concerns NATO, is a very clear statement from the state and political leadership that the Prespa Agreement is fully respected and that the name of the country is North Macedonia, whether they use it outside the country or inside the country. I believe we are moving in the right direction, said Mitsotakis.

Interview with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for the television "Antenna". Photo: MIA

Athens – I believe that North Macedonia will realize that it is not in its interest to insist on a stance that creates problems with its largest neighbor Greece, which is also a major investor in the country and from whom it expects support on the European path, said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in an interview with the television station “Antenna”, speaking about the relations between Skopje and Athens and once again reiterated the position that he expects a clear stance from the Macedonian state and political leadership that respects the Prespa Agreement.

Mitsotakis said that in the Balkans, “unfortunately, there are still forces that believe they will have political gain if they awaken the old ghosts of Balkan nationalism,” adding that this “largely happened with the current Government of North Macedonia, both in the pre-election period and to some extent after the elections.”

He reiterated the positions on the Prespa Agreement that he had before New Democracy came to power and once again pointed out that “the name of the state is North Macedonia, this is not disputed, regardless of whether it is represented abroad or the name is used for internal purposes.”

– North Macedonia cannot escape from this. I see in the last two months that the Government has realized this to some extent. What I expect, not only I, since the issue is not bilateral, but also concerns Europe, and to some extent concerns NATO, is a very clear statement from the state and political leadership that the adherence to the Prespa Agreement is complete and that the name of the country is North Macedonia, regardless of whether they use it outside of the country or within it. I believe we are moving in the right direction, said Mitsotakis, emphasizing that Greece has already informed “allies about North Macedonia’s stance.” (December 1)