Von der Leyen rebukes use of ‘Macedonia’ by country’s new President

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen implicitly rebuked newly sworn-in North Macedonia President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova’s reference to her country as “Macedonia” instead of its constitutional name “North Macedonia.”

“For North Macedonia to continue its successful path on EU accession it is paramount that the country continues on the path of reforms and full respect for its binding agreements, including the Prespa Agreement,” von der Leyen wrote in a post on X social media platform.

A few hours earlier, von der Leyen had posted: “Congratulations, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, on becoming the first female President of North Macedonia. Your leadership comes at a crucial time, as your country advances its reforms and continues on its path towards the EU. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

Later Sunday, the European Union’s Diplomatic Service issued its own statement:

“The EU regrets the fact that the new President of North Macedonia, President Siljanovska-Davkova, did not use the constitutional name of the country during the swearing-in ceremony today.

“The EU recalls the importance of full respect for existing, legally binding agreements including the Prespa Agreement with Greece.”

VMRO-DPMNE, the party leading the center-right coalition that prevailed earlier this week in North Macedonia’s presidential and parliamentary election is affiliated with the European People’s Party (EPP), to which von der Leyen also belongs, and has friendly relations with the German Christian Democrats.

The center-right had opposed the Prespa Agreement, as had Greece’s ruling New Democracy party, also an EPP member, which was in opposition in 2018 when the SYRIZA-led government signed the deal that ended decades of bilateral dispute.