Skopje, 27 May 2024 (MIA) - President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova stated that she will respect the Prespa Agreement as a legal fact, that she will respect it even though she is critical of its contents. But she also expects the Greek side to set an example by demonstrating their respect for it.

Siljanovska Davkova, speaking at an event marking the 20th anniversary of the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM), stressed in response to a journalist's question late Monday that she does not believe she has violated the Prespa Agreement.

"I respect the Prespa Agreement - I don't see that I've violated it. Furthermore, the Prespa Agreement itself explicitly states that the name agreed upon in the agreement will be used in documents and communication. So, I don't see this as a violation. I neither tore up statement nor said that I wouldn't respect the Constitution, nor did I say I would terminate the Prespa Agreement. One thing is that I criticized the Prespa Agreement because of the procedure of its adoption, due to its inconsistency with the United Nations Charter. However, it is a legal fact, it is reality, and I will respect it," Siljanovska Davkova said.

She emphasized that she also believes in the freedom of expression of thought, self-identification, and self-determination, which she stresses can not only be collective and pertain to peoples but can also be individual.

"So, for me, freedom of thought, as part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as part of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights, as part of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, enables people to express themselves according to their own convictions. I don't see here that I've violated the Prespa Agreement," stated President Siljanovska Davkova.

Asked whether this could affect our EU perspective, she noted that this question should be directed to the Greek side. Siljanovska Davkova also pointed out that the country has amended its documents for internal use and referred to a provision of the Prespa Agreement stipulating that it should be implemented five years after its entry into force, and also after the opening of the first chapter. She then asked whether we had opened any chapters and whether that is also a deviation from the Prespa Agreement.

“I wouldn't be able to answer that, as it's likely that Greek representatives would be in the best position to provide that information. Sometimes I hear warnings and threats, but I say that it's accurate that in international law, the principle applies that agreements should be respected. However, I always think that when we ask others to do something, it's logical to question what we have done ourselves, using a logic of reciprocity. I think that everyone who has been to Greece can see that the very name they ask us to respect, they have never emphasized it anywhere. 'Skopje' remains prevalent, and even 'Skopia' is used, not to mention the acronyms in various contexts, let alone the memorandums. Now that you've asked, I'd like to mention that, for me, the most significant memorandum is the one concerning assistance in Euro-integrations. Therefore, I anticipate action by way of example. Also, I'd like to highlight something else that similarly lacks emphasis. Indeed, we have also amended the documents for internal use. However, regarding these procedures, in the Prespa Agreement, it is stated that the implementation will commence, or we should achieve this five years after its entry into force, but it also states after the opening of the first chapter. I have a question for myself, for Greece, and for everyone else: have we opened any chapters, and isn't that also an oversight, not to mention a violation? Isn't that also a deviation from the Prespa Agreement?” President Siljanovska Davkova said.

Photo: MIA archive