The European Commission has warned that some government members and senior officials in North Macedonia disregard the Prespa Agreement. They sometimes fail to use the country’s constitutional name. The warning appears in the EU’s 2026 progress report, published on November 4.
Mickoski’s remarks revived the dispute in December 2025
The issue resurfaced in December 2025. North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said he had effectively restored the use of “Macedonia” domestically.
Greece’s Foreign Ministry responded on December 17. It reaffirmed that the country’s constitutional name is “North Macedonia” under Article 1 of the Prespa Agreement. The ministry also stressed that the agreement remains binding on both countries, both internationally and domestically. Athens further warned that progress in bilateral relations and North Macedonia’s EU accession process depends on compliance with existing agreements. It also stressed the importance of good-neighborly relations.
What the EU report says
In its section on good-neighborly relations and regional cooperation, the Commission states that members of North Macedonia’s government and senior officials occasionally disregard the Prespa Agreement. This includes instances in which they fail to use the country’s constitutional name. The report stresses that bilateral agreements must be implemented in good faith.
The assessment forms part of the Commission’s annual review of North Macedonia’s progress toward EU membership. It covers the period from September 1, 2025, to September 1, 2026.
What the Prespa Agreement requires
Greece and its northern neighbor that was until then self-proclaimed the “Republic of Macedonia” signed the Prespa Agreement on June 17, 2018. It entered into force on February 12, 2019, resolving the long-running dispute over the country’s name.
Under the agreement, the country adopted “Republic of North Macedonia” as its constitutional name and “North Macedonia” as its short name. The agreement requires the use of the agreed name in all official contexts, including international relations.
It also addresses the terms “Macedonia” and “Macedonian” and their meaning in relation to the two countries. Their use must be assessed in the context of the agreement.
Greece – North Macedonia Cooperation continues despite tensions
Despite the dispute over implementation, the Commission records continued cooperation between Greece and North Macedonia. The areas include economic relations, infrastructure, energy connectivity, tourism, and culture.
The report places the issue within the broader framework of North Macedonia’s EU accession process and its relations with neighboring countries.
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