N.Macedonian Foreign Ministry urges caution after new president uses country's former name

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) — North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry urged caution on Monday to newly elected President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, who referred to her country as "Macedonia" during her swearing-in ceremony, reigniting a naming dispute with neighboring Greece.

"We urge all political stakeholders, particularly elected officials, to exercise caution. Upholding the Euro-Atlantic trajectory of the country remains a paramount strategic interest and serves as a guarantee for its long-term security and stability," the ministry said in a statement.

It also affirmed North Macedonia's commitment to fully respecting constitutional provisions and all internationally assumed obligations including, the 2018 Prespa Agreement signed with Greece, which settled the longstanding naming dispute between the two countries.

The 2018 Prespa Agreement saw the renaming of Macedonia to North Macedonia and paved the way for its NATO membership.

"Over the past seven years, the two neighboring countries have fostered an exceptionally high level of political dialogue, leading to a notable increase in economic cooperation and the establishment of positive relations among their citizens," said the ministry statement.

"These accomplishments have culminated in the country’s NATO membership, the launch of negotiations with the European Union, and the deepening of the Strategic Partnership through Strategic Dialogue with the United States," it added.

This came a day after North Macedonia's newly-elected President Siljanovska-Davkova, sparked a diplomatic spat with Greece by referring to her country as "Macedonia," rather than the constitutional name "North Macedonia."

Earlier on Sunday, 71-year-old Siljanovska-Davkova, a law professor and jurist, was sworn in as the country’s first woman president, at a ceremony in the North Macedonian Assembly.

In her inauguration speech, she pledged to diligently and responsibly fulfill her duties as the country's president.

"I will respect the Constitution and laws, and I will protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Macedonia," she said.

Siljanovska-Davkova took over the presidency from Stevo Pendarovski in a handover ceremony following an assembly session.

Greece and Bulgaria slammed Siljanovska-Davkova for calling the country "Macedonia."

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev reiterated in a statement that his country "refuses" the contradictory statements and behaviors by its southwestern neighbor.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also condemned the move.

Meanwhile, European Council President Charles Michel expressed his "disappointment" over Siljanovska-Davkova's use of North Macedonia's former name.

The EU External Action Service (EEAS) was also swift in its reaction, saying that the bloc "regrets the fact that the new President of North Macedonia, President Siljanovska-Davkova, did not use the constitutional name of the country during the swearing-in ceremony today."

It further echoed European Council President Michel's call to North Macedonia on the importance of fully respecting existing, legally binding agreements.

In the second round of North Macedonia's presidential election on May 8, Siljanovska-Davkova secured victory with 64.14% of the vote.

She was backed by the alliance led by the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity.

Meanwhile, the alliance supported by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, led by former President Pendarovski, received 29.25% of the votes.