Athens, 19 May 2024 (MIA) - Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has urged President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova to "avoid similar unlawful and provocative actions", saying the ratification of the three memoranda depends on how much the other side demonstrates its consistency with international obligations, MIA reports from Athens.

"The new President of North Macedonia made an unlawful and provocative choice of violating the official text of the oath by calling her country by a name different to what is defined in the Constitution, and by that violating not only the Prespa Agreement but her homeland's constitution as well," Mitsotakis told Thessaloniki-based daily Makedonia.

He adds that the swift response of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and the United States were no coincidence.

"We urge the new president to avoid similar unlawful and provocative actions that we categorically say will not accept. It goes without saying that Skopje's European path depends on its sincere observance of what has been agreed. Therefore, the leadership of North Macedonia must understand that it can only benefit from Greece's friendship," notes Mitsotakis.

He also refers to the three memoranda and says the Greek government will "obviously respect" what has been agreed through an international treaty.

"However, the vote on the memoranda will depend on the other side as well, primarily by its consistency in keeping up with its international obligations. Therefore, we expect them to abide by agreements and we, a country of continuity and consistency, will do what is expected of us," says Mitsotakis.

The Greek PM recalls that his party New Democracy did not support the Prespa Agreement while in opposition, but highlighted that from the moment it was endorsed, the treaty became binding for the country.

"Let me remind you that we voted against the treaty in 2019 without ever saying we would terminate it. In my remarks in the Parliament back then, I pointed to the agreement's inconsistencies and warned about the problems it would create. We insisted on this as opposition, knowing well that once it is voted, the agreement cannot be changed and is binding for the country. Now, as a government, we must respect the Greek signature on an international agreement," underlines PM Mitsotakis.

Photo: Greek PM's Office