For North Macedonia to continue its successful path on EU accession it is paramount that the country continues on the path of reforms and full respect for its binding agreements, including the Prespa Agreement.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 12, 2024
Separately, Council President Charles Michel called the omission to use the constitutional name by the new President of North Macedonia “very disappointing”.
Very disappointing that the new President of North Macedonia @gogamkd did not use the constitutional name of the country during today’s oath ceremony.
The EU recalls the importance of continued implementation of legally binding agreements, including Prespa agreement with Greece.
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) May 12, 2024
VMRO-DMPNE also topped the 8 May legislative polls, winning 58 of 120 parliamentary seats to see off the SDSM, in power since 2017.
The return to power of the right in the poor country of 1.8 million risks reigniting tensions with Greece as well as Bulgaria.
During the election campaign VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski has vowed to stand firm in a tussle with Bulgaria over linguistic and historical issues that has seen Sofia block North Macedonia’s EU accession talks for the past two years.
Bulgaria has demanded Skopje change its constitution to acknowledge its Bulgarian minority. In 2022, Bulgaria agreed to a proposal by the then French Presidency of the Council of the EU to lift its veto on Skopje’s starting accession negotiations when North Macedonia adds the Bulgarian minority into the country’s constitution.
The ruling SDSM were prepared to make the amendments but lack the numbers to win a parliamentary vote. VMRO-DPMNE’s campaign ticket was the opposition to amending the constitution.
(With additional reporting by Georgi Gotev)
Source link : https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/north-macedonia-president-stokes-controversy-at-inauguration/
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Publish date : 2024-05-12 07:00:00
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