Athens, 13 May 2024 (MIA) — Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has described Gordana Siljanovska Davkova's decision to use the name Macedonia during her inauguration as illegal, impermissible and provocative, asking the new President honor her legal duties and appropriate presidential conduct while also letting her know "any step of Skopje toward Europe" depends on the use of the country's constitutional name, MIA's Athens correspondent reports.

In an extensive statement posted on Facebook early on Monday, PM Mitsotakis recalled his party New Democracy's position on the Prespa Agreement when it was in opposition, noting that provocations needed to be avoided for the sake of maintaining bilateral relations and EU perspective of the country.

"The provocative choice of North Macedonia's new President to violate the official wording of the oath and call the country by a different name is an illegal and impermissible initiative," Mitsotakis wrote. 

"It is an act that violates the Prespa Agreement and the very constitution of her country. It also undermines the country's future, as already noted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel," he wrote.

The Greek PM also recalled that New Democracy, as opposition, voted against the Prespa Agreement and warned of the problems it would create. However, he pointed out, as a Government, they honored "the Greek signature of an international agreement, which is binding."

"Greece dismisses ways of governance like the ones Mrs. Siljanovska is beggining her term in office with," he wrote.

"We urge her to go back to her legal duties and to the conduct arising from her role. We categorically say we will not accept such impermissible faults.

"And we reiterate that any progress in bilateral relations as well as any step of Skopje toward Europe depends on the sincere respect of what was agreed on, from the correct use of the constitutional name of the neighboring state. And, of course, refraining from provocations," Mitsotakis wrote. mr/