US disappointed by North Macedonia President’s omission of country’s constitutional name

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The United States is disappointed that the newly elected President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, did not use the constitutional name “North Macedonia” during her inauguration ceremony.

Elizabeth Allen, the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs of the State Department, stated that the U.S. supports the Prespa Agreement between North Macedonia and Greece, which resolved a long-standing dispute over the country’s name. The agreement stipulates that the official name of the country is “North Macedonia,” to distinguish it from the adjacent Greek region of Macedonia.

Allen said, “We support the Prespa Agreement, and we were disappointed to see that the president did not use the full and official name North Macedonia.” She added that the U.S. is in constant dialogue with the new government and hopes that the new leadership of North Macedonia will abide by the international agreements.

Siljanovska-Davkova’s action of calling the country “Macedonia” during her inauguration ceremony provoked strong reactions from Greece and was disapproved of by the EU, the U.S., and NATO.

Source: ANA-MPA