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Foreign relations of North Macedonia

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The foreign relations of North Macedonia since its independence in 1991 have been characterized by the country's efforts to gain membership in international organizations such as NATO and the European Union and to gain international recognition under its previous constitutional name, overshadowed by a long-standing, dead-locked dispute with neighboring Greece. Greek objections to the country's name had led to it being admitted to the United Nations and several other international fora only under the provisional designation Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia until its official and erga omnes renaming to North Macedonia, a name under which it is now universally recognised.

Diplomatic relations

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North Macedonia became a member state of the United Nations on April 8, 1993, eighteen months after its independence from the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It was referred within the UN as "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", pending a resolution, to the long-running dispute about the country's name. Unusually, the country's flag was not raised at UN Headquarters when the state joined the UN.[1] It was not until after the country's flag was changed that it was raised at the UN Headquarters.[1] Other international bodies, such as the European Union,[2] European Broadcasting Union,[3] and the International Olympic Committee[4] had adopted the same naming convention. NATO also used that name in official documents but added an explanation on which member countries recognise the constitutional name.[5] A number of countries recognised the country by its former constitutional name – the Republic of Macedonia – rather than the UN reference, notably four of the five permanent UN Security Council members (the United Kingdom, the United States, China, and Russia).[6] All UN member states currently recognise North Macedonia as a sovereign state.

List of countries

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List of countries which North Macedonia maintains diplomatic relations with:

# Country Date[7]
1  Slovenia 17 March 1992
2  Croatia 30 March 1992
3  Turkey 26 August 1992
4  Belarus 20 January 1993
5  New Zealand 8 April 1993
6  Bosnia and Herzegovina 12 May 1993
7  Pakistan 12 May 1993
8  Indonesia 23 May 1993[8]
9  Malaysia 22 July 1993
10  China 12 October 1993
11  North Korea 2 November 1993
12  Angola 10 November 1993
13  Denmark 16 December 1993
14  Germany 16 December 1993
15  Italy 16 December 1993
16  Netherlands 16 December 1993
17  United Kingdom 16 December 1993
18  Norway 20 December 1993
19  Sweden 20 December 1993
20  Bulgaria 22 December 1993
21  Albania 24 December 1993
22  Finland 27 December 1993
23  France 27 December 1993
24  Iceland 29 December 1993
25  Poland 30 December 1993
26  Liechtenstein 31 December 1993
27  Russia 31 December 1993
28   Switzerland 31 December 1993
29  Belgium 14 February 1994
30  Japan 1 March 1994
31  Czech Republic 2 March 1994
32  Slovakia 4 March 1994
33  Kyrgyzstan 6 June 1994
34  Vietnam 10 June 1994
35  Bolivia 15 June 1994
36  Spain 20 July 1994
37  Hungary 29 August 1994
38  Luxembourg 19 September 1994
39  Egypt 14 November 1994
40  Portugal 15 November 1994
41  Ireland 13 December 1994
—  Holy See 21 December 1994
42  Austria 23 December 1994
43  Uzbekistan 31 December 1994
44  Romania 11 January 1995
45  Saudi Arabia 11 January 1995
46  Moldova 27 January 1995
47  India 9 February 1995
48  Antigua and Barbuda 21 February 1995
50  Estonia 10 March 1995
49  Iran 10 March 1995
51  Libya 14 April 1995
52  Ukraine 20 April 1995
53  Singapore 8 May 1995
54  Kazakhstan 1 June 1995
55  Mongolia 27 June 1995
56  Azerbaijan 28 June 1995
57  Lithuania 17 July 1995
58  United States 13 September 1995
59  Greece 13 October 1995
60  Australia 20 October 1995
61  Israel 7 December 1995
62  Oman 28 December 1995
63  Tajikistan 4 January 1996
64  Belize 25 January 1996
65  Ghana 7 February 1996
66  Latvia 13 February 1996
67  Bangladesh 14 February 1996
68  Laos 6 March 1996
69  Nicaragua 28 March 1996
70  Serbia 8 April 1996
71  Rwanda 18 April 1996
72  Honduras 25 April 1996
73  Sudan 26 April 1996
74  United Arab Emirates 27 May 1996
75  Turkmenistan 21 June 1996
76  Qatar 26 June 1996
77  Canada 4 July 1996
—  Sovereign Military Order of Malta 12 July 1996[9]
78  Afghanistan 17 July 1996
79  Bahrain 11 September 1996
80  Costa Rica 15 October 1996
81  Dominica 18 October 1996
82  El Salvador 28 October 1996
83  Cambodia 29 October 1996
84  Tanzania 22 January 1997
85  Mozambique 28 February 1997
86  Djibouti 12 June 1997
87  Kuwait 16 June 1997
88  Guinea 28 November 1997
89    Nepal 7 January 1998
90  Zambia 30 March 1998
91  Sri Lanka 10 April 1998
92  Togo 14 April 1998
93  Sierra Leone 17 July 1998
94  Lesotho 3 September 1998
95  Gambia 29 September 1998
96  Yemen 6 October 1998
97  Brazil 14 September 1998
98  Argentina 24 September 1999
99  Democratic Republic of the Congo 27 September 1999
100  Malawi 27 September 1999
101  Chad 13 October 1999
102  Burundi 7 February 2000
103  Cuba 5 May 2000
104  Colombia 22 June 2000
105  Ecuador 22 June 2000
106  Comoros 29 June 2000
107  Guinea-Bissau 29 June 2000
108  São Tomé and Príncipe 11 July 2000
109  Ethiopia 17 July 2000
110  Uganda 26 July 2000
111  Saint Lucia 24 August 2000
112  Eritrea 13 September 2000
113  Ivory Coast 14 September 2000
114  Jordan 15 September 2000
115  Dominican Republic 18 September 2000
116  Gabon 13 November 2000
117  Maldives 13 November 2000
118  Niger 15 November 2000
119  Seychelles 7 February 2001
120  Mauritius 7 February 2001
121  Republic of the Congo 7 February 2001
122  Cameroon 6 April 2001
123  Haiti 11 April 2001
124  Mexico 4 October 2001
125  Guatemala 16 November 2001
126  Vanuatu 16 November 2001
127  Algeria 21 March 2002
128  Panama 18 April 2002
129  Venezuela 18 April 2002
130  Uruguay 17 May 2002
131  Equatorial Guinea 9 July 2002
132  Morocco 18 September 2002
133  Madagascar 18 October 2002
134  Senegal 20 October 2002
135  Central African Republic 20 October 2002
136  Marshall Islands 19 March 2003
137  East Timor 25 March 2003
138  Jamaica 1 April 2003
139  Nigeria 24 April 2003
140  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15 May 2003
141  Myanmar 9 July 2003
142  Guyana 22 September 2003
143  Benin 26 September 2004
144  Burkina Faso 27 November 2004
145  Federated States of Micronesia 30 November 2004
146  Nauru 2 December 2004
147  Cape Verde 10 December 2004
148  Thailand 23 January 2005
149  Somalia 17 February 2005
150  Mauritania 23 March 2005
151  Iraq 10 June 2005
152  Peru 29 June 2005
153  Samoa 18 August 2005
154  Kenya 1 February 2006
155  Montenegro 14 June 2006[10]
156  Suriname 12 April 2007
157  Eswatini 6 July 2007
158  Brunei 1 August 2007
159  Paraguay 26 October 2007
160  Chile 15 September 2008
161  Andorra 31 July 2009
—  Kosovo 17 October 2009
162  Fiji 15 March 2010
163  Botswana 4 September 2010
164  Syria 23 September 2010
165  Zimbabwe 13 January 2011
166  Tuvalu 29 June 2011[11]
167  Namibia 21 December 2011[11]
168  Malta 25 January 2017[12]
169  Georgia 16 February 2019[11]
170  South Korea 18 July 2019[11]
171  Cyprus 30 August 2019[11]
172  Saint Kitts and Nevis 12 September 2019[13]
173  Monaco 26 September 2019[11]
174  San Marino 26 September 2019[14]
175  Armenia 27 September 2019[11]
176  Tunisia 27 September 2019[11]
177  Philippines 22 September 2021[11]
178  South Africa 18 September 2023[15]

Bilateral relations

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Multilateral

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Organization Formal Relations Began Notes
 European Union See Accession of North Macedonia to the European Union
 NATO See North Macedonia–NATO relations

North Macedonia joined in NATO on 27 March 2020.

Africa

[edit]
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Egypt 14 November 1994
 South Africa 18 September 2023

South Africa is represented in North Macedonia by its embassy in Athens, Greece.[17]

Americas

[edit]
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Argentina 24 September 1999
  • Argentina is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.[18]
  • North Macedonia is accredited to Argentina from its embassy in Madrid, Spain.[19]
 Brazil 14 September 1998
 Canada 4 July 1996
  • Canada is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Belgrade, Serbia.[22]
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Ottawa.[23]
  • Canada has an honorary consulate in Skopje.
 Mexico 4 October 2001
  • Mexico is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Belgrade, Serbia.[24]
  • North Macedonia is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[25]
  • Mexico has an honorary consulate in Skopje.
 United States 13 September 1995 See North Macedonia–United States relations
Then US President George W. Bush with the political leaders of North Macedonia in 2008

The United States and North Macedonia enjoy excellent bilateral relations.[26] The United States formally recognized North Macedonia on February 8, 1994, and the two countries established full diplomatic relations on September 13, 1995. The U.S. Liaison Office was upgraded to an embassy in February 1996, and the first U.S. Ambassador to Skopje arrived in July 1996. The development of political relations between the United States and North Macedonia has ushered in a whole host of other contacts between the two states. In 2004, the United States recognized the country under its constitutional name of that time – Republic of Macedonia.

Asia

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Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Azerbaijan 28 June 1995 See Azerbaijan–North Macedonia relations
  • The government of North Macedonia recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on June 25, 1995.[27]
  • Diplomatic relations were established on June 28, 1995.[27]
 China 12 October 1993

On October 12, 1993, the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia and the Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) established diplomatic relations with North Macedonia expressly declaring that the Government of the PRC is the sole legal government of China, and Taiwan as an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The Government of North Macedonia affirmed it would not establish any form of official relations with Taiwan.[28]

  • China has an embassy in Skopje.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Beijing.
 Georgia 16 February 2019 See Georgia–North Macedonia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 16, 2019.[29]

 India 1996 See India–North Macedonia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1996.[30]

 Indonesia

Indonesia is represented in North Macedonia by its embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.[31]

  • Indonesia has an honorary consulate in Skopje.
 Iran 10 March 1995

Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 10, 1995.

  • Iran has an embassy in Skopje.
  • North Macedonia is accredited to Iran from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
 Israel 7 December 1995 See Israel–North Macedonia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on December 7, 1995.

  • Israel has an honorary consulate in Skopje.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Tel Aviv.
 Japan March 1994

Both countries established diplomatic relations in March 1994. North Macedonia opened its first resident embassy in Tokyo in 2013 and the first resident ambassador of North Macedonia to Japan is H.E. Dr. Andrijana Cvetkovik[32]

  • Japan has an embassy in Skopje.
 Kazakhstan

The two countries hold regular political consultations on subjects of political, economic, cultural, humanitarian issues.[33]

  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Astana.
 North Korea 11 October 1993

Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 11, 1993. They enjoy friendly relations. DPRK is represented in North Macedonia through its embassy in Sofia.

 South Korea 18 July 2019

Due to the concern of Greece on Macedonia naming dispute, The Republic of Korea did not establish formal diplomatic relations with Macedonia until it renamed itself "Republic of North Macedonia". Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 18, 2019.[34] South Korea is represented in North Macedonia through its embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.[35]

 Qatar
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Doha.[36]
  • Qatar has an embassy in Skopje.
 Taiwan 27 January 1999

Notwithstanding the above, North Macedonia and the Republic of China on Taiwan (ROC) established diplomatic relations on January 27, 1999.[37] This development increased the number of the ROC's diplomatic allies in Europe from one to two (the other being the Holy See). The PRC was opposed to this and in retaliation vetoed the UN resolution renewing the mandate of the UNPREDEP (a peacekeeping force) in North Macedonia. On April 28, 1999, North Macedonia opened an embassy in Taipei, ROC.[38] The Republic of North Macedonia and the PRC normalized their relations on June 18, 2001.[39] On the same day, the ROC severed diplomatic relations with North Macedonia.[38] In the joint communiqué between North Macedonia and People's Republic of China, North Macedonia recognized "emphatically that there is but one China in the world, that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory".[39]

 Turkey See North Macedonia–Turkey relations

Due to historical and cultural mutualities and human bonds North Macedonia and Turkey have very close and friendly relations.[40] Shortly after North Macedonia declared its independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, Turkey was among the first countries to recognise North Macedonia's sovereignty.[41] Bilateral relations were established on August 26, 1992.[42] North Macedonia has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate–general in Istanbul, while Turkey has an embassy in Skopje and a consulate-general in Bitola.

  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 United Arab Emirates
 Vietnam 10 June 1994
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 10, 1994.[43]
  • North Macedonia is represented in Vietnam through its embassy in Beijing, China.[44]
  • Vietnam is represented in North Macedonia through its embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.[44]

Europe

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Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Albania See Albania–North Macedonia relations

Recently (Aug. 2008) they signed a treaty enabling visa-free movement between the countries. Both countries support each other's ethnic minorities in cultural, political and educational aspects. During the ethnic conflict in 2001, the Albanian government did not interfere and supported peaceful resolution. Albania had recognized Skopje under the UN provisional reference of the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia",[45][46] abbreviated as FYROM.[47] Both countries are full members of the NATO and Council of Europe. On 26 November 2019, an earthquake struck Albania. North Macedonia sent €100,000 in financial aid,[48] drones with thermal cameras, rescue teams and mechanical equipment for relief operations.[49][50] Both countries EU Accession negotiations on 24 March 2020.

  • Albania has an embassy in Skopje.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Tirana.
 Austria 23 December 1994 See Austria–North Macedonia relations
 Bosnia and Herzegovina See Bosnia and Herzegovina–North Macedonia relations
  • Bosnia has an embassy in Skopje.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Sarajevo.
 Bulgaria See Bulgaria–North Macedonia relations

Bulgaria–North Macedonia relations refer to the bilateral relations between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. Rules for governing good neighbourly relations were agreed between Bulgaria and North Macedonia in the Joint Declaration of February 22, 1999 and reaffirmed by a joint memorandum signed on January 22, 2008 in Sofia.[51] The governments of Bulgaria and North Macedonia signed a friendship treaty to bolster the relations between the two Balkan states in August 2017.[52] The treaty was ratified by the parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia on the 15th of and of Bulgaria on 18 January 2018.[53]

  • Bulgaria is the first country in the world to recognise Macedonia as an independent state.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Skopje.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Sofia.
 Croatia See Croatia–North Macedonia relations
  • Croatia has an embassy in Skopje.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Zagreb.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Cyprus 29 August 2019 See Cyprus–North Macedonia relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on August 29, 2019.[54][55][56]
 Czech Republic 2 March 1994 See Czech Republic–North Macedonia relations
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Prague.
  • Czech Republic has a consular agency in Skopje.
 Denmark See Denmark–North Macedonia relations
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Copenhagen.
  • Denmark has an honorary consulate-general in Skopje.
 Estonia 2 March 1995

Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 2, 1995.[57]

  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Tallinn.
  • Estonia has an honorary consulate in Skopje.
 Finland
 France
  • France has an embassy in Skopje.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Paris.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Germany See Germany–North Macedonia relations
  • Germany has an embassy in Skopje.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Berlin.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Greece See Greece–North Macedonia relations

North Macedonia and Greece have excellent economic and business relations, with Greece being the largest investor in the country. Until the Prespa Agreement (2019), the indeterminate status of North Macedonia's former name arose from a long-running dispute with Greece. The main points of the dispute were:[58]

  • The name: see Macedonia naming dispute, and the section Naming issue (resolved, below in this article).
  • The flag: the use of Vergina Sun, a Greek state symbol, on the initial national flag used between 1992 and 1995 (resolved, see below)
  • Constitutional issues: certain articles of the constitution that were seen as claims on Greek territory (resolved, see below).

The naming issue was "parked" in a compromise agreed at the United Nations in 1993. However, Greece refused to grant diplomatic recognition to the Republic and imposed an economic blockade that lasted until the flag and constitutional issues were resolved in 1995. The naming issue was resolved with the Prespa Agreement, signed in 2018, and entered into force in February 2019.

  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • Greece has an embassy in Skopje.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Athens.
 Iceland


 Kosovo See Kosovo–North Macedonia relations

North Macedonia and Kosovo have very friendly and cordial neighbourly relations[citation needed] which mainly are due to the ethnic Albanian populations that live inside North Macedonia. In October 2008, North Macedonia recognized Kosovo as an independent state with plan to establish diplomatic relations. Kosovo recognized the neighbouring country under its former constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia.[62] Also in October 2008, a bilateral agreement was signed between the two countries after the border between the two was physically marked by a joint committee.[63] Kosovo and North Macedonia have signed a Free Trade Agreement in 2005 to facilitate trade opportunities, investment conditions and improve good-neighbourly relations. North Macedonia's investments are the largest in Kosovo since its independence on February 17, 2008 year.[64]

  • Kosovo has an embassy in Skopje.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Pristina.
 Lithuania 18 July 1995

Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 18, 1995.[65]

  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • Lithuania has an honorary consulate in Skopje.
 Montenegro 14 June 2006 See North Macedonia–Montenegro relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 14, 2006.[66]

  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Podgorica.
  • Montenegro has an embassy in Skopje.
 Netherlands
  • the Netherlands has an embassy in Skopje.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in The Hague.
  • Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and NATO.
 Norway 1993

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1993.[67]

  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Oslo.
  • Norway has an embassy in Skopje.
 Poland
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Skopje.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Romania 11 January 1995

Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 11, 1995.[68]

  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Bucharest.
  • Romania has an embassy in Skopje.
 Russia See North Macedonia–Russia relations
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Moscow.
  • Russia has an embassy in Skopje.
 Serbia See North Macedonia–Serbia relations

North Macedonia and Serbia traditionally have friendly relations. Serbia is a main trading partner and recognized its neighbour under its former constitutional name – Republic of Macedonia. Macedonians in Serbia are a recognized national minority, same as Serbs in North Macedonia. However, the non-recognition of the Macedonian Orthodox Church by the Serbian Orthodox Church and North Macedonia's recognition of Kosovo as an independent state are disturbing the relations of these two countries.

  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Belgrade.
  • Serbia has an embassy in Skopje.
 Slovenia 12 February 1992 See North Macedonia–Slovenia relations

North Macedonia and Slovenia have very close political and economic relations. Once part of SFR Yugoslavia, the two republics declared independence in 1991 (Slovenia in June, North Macedonia in September) and recognised each other's independence on February 12, 1992.[69] Diplomatic relations between both countries were established on March 17, 1992.[42] Slovenia supports North Macedonia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, its Euro-integration and visa liberalisation.[69][70] A significant number of Slovenian investments ended up in North Macedonia. In 2007, about 70 million euros were invested.[71] In January 2009, the Macedonian prime minister Nikola Gruevski announced, that he expects more Slovenian investments in infrastructure and energy projects.[71] Over 70 Slovenian companies are present on the Macedonian market.[69]

  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • Slovenia has an embassy in Skopje.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Ljubljana.
 Spain See North Macedonia–Spain relations
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Madrid.
  • Spain has an embassy in Skopje.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Sweden
 Ukraine See North Macedonia–Ukraine relations
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Kyiv.
  • Ukraine has an embassy in Skopje.
 United Kingdom 16 December 1993 See North Macedonia–United Kingdom relations

North Macedonia established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 16 December 1993.

  • North Macedonia maintains an embassy in London.[72]
  • The United Kingdom is accredited to North Macedonia through its embassy in Skopje.[73]

Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, the International Criminal Court, NATO, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement.[74]

Oceania

[edit]
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Australia 15 February 1994
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 February 1994.[75]
  • Australia is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Belgrade, Serbia.[76]
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Canberra.[77]
  • Australia has an honorary consulate in Skopje.
 New Zealand
  • North Macedonia is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.[78]
  • New Zealand is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Rome, Italy.[79]

Issues

[edit]
Main article: Macedonia naming dispute

Flag issue

[edit]
The former flag of the former Republic of Macedonia (used from 1992 to 1995), bearing the Vergina Sun

North Macedonia's first post-independence flag caused a major controversy when it was unveiled. The use of the Vergina Sun on the flag was seen by Greece as territorial claim to the northern Greek region of Macedonia, where the golden larnax containing the symbol was unearthed in 1977 during excavations in Vergina by Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronikos.

The Vergina Sun, claimed by Greece as an exclusive state symbol, was removed from the flag under an agreement reached between the Republic of North Macedonia and Greece in September 1995. The Republic agreed to meet a number of Greek demands for changes to its national symbols and constitution, while Greece agreed to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic and end its economic blockade.[80]

Under the Prespa Agreement, North Macedonia recognised (among other Ancient Macedonian elements) the Vergina Sun as a Hellenic symbol and agreed to remove the Vergina Sun from public display in all State-owned organisations, products, logos, etc. The implementation of this clause started on August 12, 2019.[81]

Within six months following the entry into force of this Agreement, the Second Party [i.e. North Macedonia] shall review the status of monuments, public buildings and infrastructures on its territory, and insofar as they refer in any way to ancient Hellenic history and civilization constituting an integral component of the historic or cultural patrimony of the First Party, shall take appropriate corrective action to effectively address the issue and ensure respect for the said patrimony.

—Article 8, paragraph 2 of the Prespa agreement

The Second Party [i.e. North Macedonia] shall not use again in any way and in all its forms the symbol formerly displayed on its former national flag [i.e. the Vergina Sun]. Within six months of the entry into force of this Agreement, the Second Party shall proceed to the removal of the symbol displayed on its former national flag from all public sites and public usages on its territory. Archaeological artefacts do not fall within the scope of this provision.

—Article 8, paragraph 3 of the Prespa agreement

Constitutional issue

[edit]

North Macedonia's first post-independence constitution, adopted on November 17, 1991 included a number of clauses that Greece interpreted as promoting secessionist sentiment among the Slavophone population of northern Greece, and making irredentist claims on Greek territory. Article 49 of the constitution caused particular concern. It read:

(1) The Republic cares for the status and rights of those persons belonging to the Macedonian people in neighboring countries, as well as Macedonian expatriates, assists their cultural development and promotes links with them. In the exercise of this concern the Republic will not interfere in the sovereign rights of other states or in their internal affairs.
(2) The Republic cares for the cultural, economic and social rights of the citizens of the Republic abroad.[82]

The Greek government interpreted this as a licence for North Macedonia to interfere in Greek internal affairs. Given long-standing Greek sensitivities over the position of the country's minority groups, the government saw this as being the most serious of the three main issues affecting relations between the two countries; the issue of the republic's symbols, by contrast, was seen as being of much less substantive importance, even though it aroused the loudest political controversy. The Greek prime minister at the time, Constantine Mitsotakis, later commented that

What concerned me from the very first moment was not the name of the state. The problem for me was that [we should not allow] the creation of a second minority problem in the area of western [Greek] Macedonia [the first minority being the Turkish-speaking Greeks of western Thrace]. My main aim was to convince the Republic to declare that there is no Slavomacedonian minority in Greece. This was the real key of our difference with Skopje.[83]

The offending articles were removed under the 1995 agreement between the two sides.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Article on Former Yugoslav states Archived June 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ European Commission. "Background information – The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia". Archived from the original on December 23, 2007. Retrieved October 1, 2006.
  3. ^ European Broadcasting Union. "Members' Logos". Archived from the original on September 28, 2006. Retrieved October 1, 2006.
  4. ^ International Olympic Committee. "LIST OF NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES PARTICIPATING IN THE XIX OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES IN SALT LAKE CITY" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2006.
  5. ^ North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. "The situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is critical". Retrieved October 1, 2006.
  6. ^ "US snubs Greece over Macedonia". BBC News Online. November 4, 2004. Retrieved October 1, 2006.
  7. ^ "Bilateral relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  8. ^ "Kerja Sama Bilateral" (in Indonesian). January 6, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  9. ^ de Béthencourt, Marcos Fernández (2019). La orden de Malta: Estatuto Jurídico internacional (in Spanish). Editorial Sanz Y Torres. p. 308.
  10. ^ "Dates of Recognition and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations". Montenegro Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration. Archived from the original on April 17, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Diplomatic relations between North Macedonia and ..." United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  12. ^ "25 January 2017". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia. Archived from the original on May 5, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  13. ^ "Diplomatic Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  14. ^ "Ratifica dell'Accordo tra la Repubblica di San Marino e la Repubblica di Macedonia del Nord sullo stabilimento delle relazioni diplomatiche". esteri.sm (in Italian). Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  15. ^ "Minister Naledi Pandor signs the "Agreement on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of North Macedonia" with her counterpart, Minister Bujar Osmani". September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  16. ^ "Home Africa". www.mfa.gov.mk. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  17. ^ "FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)". www.dirco.gov.za. Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
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