To The Editor
As scholars and authors we wish to take issue with the distortion of the Prespa ‘agreement’ in some quarters, and portrayal of opponents as nationalist and extremists.
The agreement does not serve the needs of Macedonia or Greece. It shows no respect for international law, human rights and democratic principles.
An agreement trying to define political, historical and cultural boundaries between “classical Macedonia” and (would be) North Macedonia is a bizarre undertaking in the 21st century. The construction of identities is not for governments. Macedonia is subjected to arbitrary international engineering against the will of the people. With little public support a highly polarized atmosphere deepens internal divisions. The asymmetric ‘deal’ will not lessen regional tensions as only the weaker (Macedonian) side was forced to compromise, to force (North) Macedonia into NATO – itself in an identity crisis.
The deal denies constitutional sovereignty of Macedonia, with final say given to the MPs of a foreign country (Greece). The new name is intended for not only international relations but also internal legal order. The attribute Macedonian is to be erased from all official documents and public use under threat of Orwellian sanctions. History teaching is going to be decided by governmental bodies rather than by scholars.
International mismanagement continues. While supporting confidence building, conflict resolution, and reconciliation, we argue that the Prespa Agreement is not an accord that promises sustainable peace. NATO membership is unlikely to bring social and economic progress or security to the small Macedonian state; ironically, Greece offers the best proof of what international dictates do on the European periphery.
Biljana Vankovska, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, SkopjeJames Pettifer, Oxford UniversityVenko Andonovski, writer, Cyril and Methodius University, SkopjeMilan Kundera, writer, ParisRichard Falk, Princeton UniversityŽarko Puhovski, University of ZagrebLidija R. Basta Fleiner, University of FribourgDarko Mitrevski, film director, Los AngelesGeorges Banu, President of the Prize of Europe for the Theatre, ParisJan Oberg, director of Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research, LundGorazd Rosoklija, Columbia UniversityJosette Baer Hill, University of ZurichGordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, SkopjeJean Pavleski, Sorbonne University, founder of Éditions Economica, ParisNada Boskovska, University of ZurichJovan Donev, former ambassador to the United KingdomStefano Bianchini, University of BolognaVladimir Unkovski-Korica, University of GlasgowPepe Escobar, Geopolitical Analyst at Asia TimesRadmila Nakarada, University of BelgradeIgor Janev, University of BelgradeZhidas Daskalovski, Kliment Ohridski University, BitolaNikola Popov, McMaster University, OntarioErol Tufan, poet, TurkeyBernd Fischer, Indiana University, Fort WayneMitko Madzunkov, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and ArtsMite Stefoski, Director of Struga Poetry EveningsJohan Galtung, founder of Transcend UniversityVitomir Mitevski, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and ArtsJean-Patrick Connerade, University of London, former President of EuroScienceBorislav Pavlovski, University of ZagrebSlavko Bogdanov, Columbia UniversityFrancis D. Raška, Anglo-American University, PragueLeonid Grcev, IEEE Fellow, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and ArtsMihajlo Popovski, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, SkopjeMiranda Vickers, Independent Scholar, UKAleksandar Dimovski, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and ArtsJean Pierre Simeon, poet, editor of Gallimard, ParisBranko Stavrev, theater director, SkopjeEmilia Waters, CATS College CambridgeJordan Plevneš, writer and former ambassador to FranceZhivko Popov, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and ArtsMarija Risteska, Centre for Research and Policy-Making, SkopjeKatica Kjulafkova, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and ArtsDimitar Apasiev, Goce Delčev University, ŠtipDaniel Weiss, University of ZürichVictor Bivell, Publisher, Pollitecon Publications, SydneyMarko Pavlovski, writer, University of ZagrebElka Jačeva-Ulčar, Cyril and Methodius University, SkopjeDragan Duško Vukotić, media specialist, PodgoricaJani Bojadzi, Film and Theater Director, SkopjeSlave Gjorgjo Dimoski, poet, ex-president of the Board of Struga Poetry EveningsTodor Čepreganov, Goce Delčev University, ŠtipBob Churcher, ex International Crisis Group Country Director, KosovoBogdan Bogdanov, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, SkopjeBlaže Minevski, writer, SkopjeSolza Grceva, Voice for MacedoniaMarjan Popov, Delft University of TechnologyAleksandar Shulevski, University of AmsterdamGeorge G. Durtanosky, Latvian Christian Academy, RigaViktor Gjamovski, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, SkopjeAntoanela Petkovska, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, SkopjeIrena Pavlova de Odorico, poetess, ItalyRade Siljan, writer and publisher, SkopjeSašo Kalajdžievski, University of ManitobaAldo Kliman, poet and president of the Macedonian Cultural Forum in CroatiaMilojka Kalkašlieva, judge of the Supreme Court of Macedonia (ret.)Paul Filev, Literary Translator, MelbourneRinga Raudola, Department of Innovation and Governance, Tallinn UniversityJovica Tasevski-Eternijan, poet, the Macedonian Writers’ AssociationMarina Mijakovska, writer, SkopjeKiril Barbareev, Goce Delčev University, ŠtipBlaže Risteski, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and ArtsZlatko Dizdarević, former ambassador, Bosnia and HerzegovinaDanilo Gligoroski, Norwegian University of Science and TechnologySasho Popovski, academic painter, Skopje
