The President of North Macedonia has removed any references to the country’s constitutional name from the front-page of its official website, replacing it with “MK” or simply “Macedonia.”
According to Ekathimerini the action follows the recent election of President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, who sparked a diplomatic conflict with Greece by referring to her nation as “Macedonia” during her inauguration, in breach of the Prespa Agreement made in 2018 between the two countries to resolve a long-standing dispute over the state’s name.
Up to at least May 15, the website had a link labeled “North Macedonia” on its header, which has now been replaced with “MK.”
In addition, a link superimposed on a photograph of the country’s flag has been renamed “Macedonia” instead of “North Macedonia.”
Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis also addressed the matter, sending a message to the new leadership of North Macedonia regarding the accession to the European Union during his tour through Florina on Tuesday, just a few kilometeres out.
“If they insist on challenging the core of the Prespa Agreement regarding the name of their country, and they call it the way they wish to call it, then they should know that their European path will remain closed,” Mitsotakis said.
“Our neighbors want us to have good relations too – the citizens of North Macedonia do not want either tensions or nationalism. I hope and wish they will come to their senses and return to the right path.”
Source: Ekathimerini and Amna.gr.
