Athens, 29 May 2024 (MIA) — Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in a TV appearance on Wednesday morning reiterated his expectation that the Macedonian prime minister-designate would use the new name of the country, North Macedonia, both inside and outside the country in line with the Prespa Agreement, noting that although the treaty had a dispute resolution provision he did not think it would be necessary to enforce it, MIA's Athens correspondent reports.

In an interview for Greek Action 24 TV, Mitsotakis pointed out that the Prespa Agreement clearly laid out how any compliance issues would be resolved. He added, however, that he thought that "ultimately, this will not be necessary" because "they may be realizing in Skopje the election campaign period is over."

The Greek PM had voiced the same expectation in a previous interview, which he gave to Star TV on Tuesday evening – that the next prime minister-designate would use the name North Macedonia erga omnes.

The New Democracy leader once again said that his political party had been against the name deal. Despite this, he said, the treaty was "absolutely clear" and they would respect it "because it is an international agreement, which is above national law."

"The Prespa Agreement contains a provision about the name. The name of the country is North Macedonia. It applies to everyone," Mitsotakis said.

"What I expect from the new prime minister — who is still not the prime minister-designate but will be at some point — is a clear statement that the name of the country is North Macedonia and that he will call it so both inside and outside of the country," he said.

Asked if the name issue was bilateral or European, he said that "it is a European issue now."

He said that it was "the successful Greek foreign policy, Greece's reputation, and making a couple of phone calls" that had resulted in the EU's quick condemnation of North Macedonia's new President's refusal to take the presidential oath of office calling the country by its constitutional name.

"This is another proof that Greece is reckoned with," Mitsotakis said. Highlighting the importance of the European elections, he added that "the voice of Greece is heard in Europe and should be heard even more clearly." mr/