North Macedonia's newly elected president's remarks on the country's name have reignited tensions with neighboring Greece and Bulgaria, putting the country's EU aspirations in jeopardy.
North Macedonia's recent landslide election victory and subsequent swearing-in ceremony of President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova have reignited a simmering dispute with neighboring Greece and Bulgaria over the country's name.
In 2018, North Macedonia, then known as Macedonia, reached a landmark agreement with Greece, ending a decades-long quarrel over the name, which Greece claimed for one of its regions. As part of the deal, Macedonia changed its name to North Macedonia.
However, during her swearing-in ceremony on Sunday, President Siljanovska-Davkova referred to her country as "Macedonia," prompting a swift and heated response from Athens. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis denounced the remarks as "illegal and unacceptable," declaring that Greece would not tolerate any further "missteps of this nature."
Siljanovska-Davkova's comments also drew criticism from the European Commission, which reminded North Macedonia of its obligation to uphold the international agreements it had signed up to. Bulgaria, another neighbor with claims to the name "Macedonia," issued a similar warning.
In response, the president's office stated that Siljanovska-Davkova respected the country's international obligations but maintained her right to use the name "Macedonia" as a personal right of self-identification.
The dispute over the name stems from the historical region of Macedonia, which is divided among Greece, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia. The name issue has long been a source of tension between the three countries, delaying North Macedonia's efforts to join the European Union and NATO.
Despite the resurgence of the name dispute, North Macedonia joined the military alliance in 2020. However, its EU aspirations remain uncertain.
The country's conservative VMRO-DPMNE party secured a landslide victory in last week's presidential and parliamentary elections, putting an end to years of opposition rule. The party is now poised to lead the next government.
The name dispute has cast a shadow over North Macedonia's future. It remains to be seen whether the new government will be able to navigate the complex diplomatic landscape and resolve the issue with its neighbors, paving the way for the country's full integration into the European community.
