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Mitsotakis: The greatest weapon we have is that Greece is the “monitor” of Skopje’s European course

by AI | 17.Jul 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The Prespa Agreement had other weaknesses, but the article of the Prespa Agreement that concerns the name, erga omnes, the name Republic of North Macedonia for overall use, is not subject to any dispute or legal interpretation. That is the name of the country and no one can call it by another name. This is something that I absolutely made clear to the Prime Minister of North Macedonia during the NATO Summit that he is at that table precisely because the Agreement was signed which he is currently not respecting, said Mitsotakis.

Interview with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for TV Sky. Photo: MIA

Athens – It is obvious that Greece has weapons, and I do not mean the weapons that arise from the Treaty itself, but the greatest weapon it possesses, which is that it is the “overseer” of Skopje’s European course, said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in an interview with TV Skai.

– The fact is that there can be no access to Europe, not even a step, if the issue is not resolved through a clear statement from the leadership of the neighboring country that this is the name of the state and it applies to everyone. In other words, to repeat the obvious, what they have signed. We are not asking for anything different. Pacta sunt servanda, said Mitsotakis.

According to the MIA correspondent from Athens, in the interview for the central evening news edition of the Greek television, Mitsotakis pointed out that on this specific issue “Greece is not alone and has the support of all Europe”, and the Greek “position is absolutely understandable”.

He stressed that North Macedonia entered NATO because the issue of the name was resolved through the Prespa Agreement.

– The Prespa Agreement had other weaknesses, but the article of the Prespa Agreement concerning the name, erga omnes, the name Republic of North Macedonia for overall use, is not subject to any dispute or legal interpretation. That is the name of the country and no one can call it by another name. This is something that I made absolutely clear to the Prime Minister of North Macedonia during the NATO Summit that they are at that table precisely because the Agreement was signed, which they are currently not honoring, said Mitsotakis.

The Greek Prime Minister once again reiterated that he personally was against the Agreement due to the recognition of the Macedonian nationality and language by Greece, and not because of the name.

– This agreement should be respected by our neighbors because we want them close to Europe, we don’t want to be at odds, Mitsotakis pointed out to “Skai”. (July 16)