Washington, 12 April 2024 (MIA) - The US expects North Macedonia to uphold the spirit of the Prespa Agreement, and public discourse to remain fact-based, stated the US Department of State to Voice of America in Macedonian.

Before the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in the country, Greek media outlets indicate that Athens is closely monitoring political statements related to the Prespa Agreement and the use of the name Macedonia in the election campaigns of some candidates.

“As the US remains committed to the Prespa Agreement, we expect North Macedonia to maintain this spirit, and for public discourse to remain fact-based and rooted in the dedication to North Macedonia's future in the EU,” responded a US Department of State spokesperson when questioned about US concerns regarding potential undermining of the Prespa Agreement.

In 2021, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order on blocking property and suspending entry into the United States for persons violating or obstructing the Prespa Agreement and the Ohrid Framework Agreement.

"Any person to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged in, a violation of, or an act that has obstructed or threatened the implementation of, any regional security, peace, cooperation, or mutual recognition or framework or accountability mechanism related to the Western Balkans, including the Prespa Agreement of 2018; the Ohrid Framework Agreement of 2001," reads the executive order.

The US Department of State further clarified that the executive order applies not only to persons within Western Balkan countries who pose a threat to the Prespa Agreement but also to those in other countries.

This comes as a response to a question from Voice of America in Macedonian, asking whether the Biden administration plans to expand sanctions to Greece, which is a signatory to the Prespa Agreement.

"The Executive Order 14033 allows sanctions against persons undermining the stability of the Western Balkans, wherever they may be, provided they meet the relevant targeting criteria."

The United States underscored its support for strong discussion and debate among citizens globally and in the Western Balkans, clarifying that the executive order is not intended to hinder private individuals from expressing their opinions.

"The executive order applies to actions that undermine democratic processes, attempts to violate, obstruct, or threaten the implementation of international peace agreements, participation in serious human rights abuses, or corruption, among other activities," the US Department of State said then.

Following Biden's executive order, the opposition party VMRO-DPMNE stated in a press release that they did not participate in the negotiations and adoption of the Prespa Agreement in Parliament, and that it is contrary to Macedonian national interests.

The Prespa Agreement and its implementation are being mentioned in the opposition's election campaign ahead of the presidential elections, set to take place on April 24, with the second round on May 8, alongside parliamentary elections.

Voice of America reports that they have also sought comment from the government of Greece. The Greek Parliament has not yet ratified memoranda related to the Prespa Agreement.

Photo: MIA/VOA