The US is working to ensure that North Macedonia’s new government respects the Prespa Agreement, emphasized James O’Brien, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs. During a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the American diplomat stated that interactions between American lawmakers are useful to keep North Macedonia committed to the agreement.
“North Macedonia has suffered due to disagreements with its neighbors, which constantly alter its (accession) requirements. Part of our job is to diplomatically prepare a path for North Macedonia to maintain the agreement it has with Greece. And I think that the meeting you had, as well as others, has helped keep things on track so that Greece remains a friend rather than a barrier to North Macedonia’s accession process. The same goes for Albania,” he emphasized.
Prime Minister Christian Mitskoski and President Gordana Siljanovska have stated that they will officially use the constitutional name but will use the name “Macedonia” in statements as an act stemming from the right to self-determination and self-identification.
On his part, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis clarified at the NATO Summit in Washington that one of the most important aspects of the Prespa Agreement is the erga omnes use of the constitutional name. This requires the authorities to use North Macedonia both abroad and within the country.
US Ambassador to Skopje Angela Aggeler has also stated that there is no room for renegotiation of the agreements with Greece and Bulgaria. As she pointed out, “These agreements are made. No renegotiation of Prespa, no renegotiation of progress toward the EU. This is very clear.”
