Ioannis Armakolas spoke to the journalist Nazim Rashidi on Alsat TV’s Programi 200 about the day after the elections in North Macedonia, discussing the interest shown by the Greek media, public and government in the results, and their reactions to them.

More specifically, he noted that the use of the constitutional name at the official level is necessary, and that should political actors in North Macedonia fail to do so, the Greek reaction will be immediate—as was the case in relation to the new President’s inauguration.

In addition, Mr Armakolas said that the international community, including both the EU and the US, consider the Prespa Agreement an important diplomatic success and a factor in the stability of the region. He therefore believes that there will be incentives for the new government to respect the Agreement, and pressure to do so, and that the use of the constitutional name is a key step in this direction.

Finally, he referred to bilateral relations between Greece and North Macedonia, arguing that, although relations are not currently optimal, the Prespa Agreement has created a framework for cooperation and understanding that will prevent a return to the poor relations of previous decades.

Click to watch the interview.

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Publication: 20/05/2024 Alsat TV
Experts
Ioannis Armakolas Senior Research Fellow, Head, South-East Europe Programme