By decision of the Court of First Instance of Florina (approval 28 July 2022 and announcement 7 November 2022), the union "Macedonian Language Center" has been recognized and has officially become a non-governmental organization (NGO). The purpose of this NGO, as described in its statute, is to preserve, cultivate and teach the "Macedonian" language in Greece (where it is spoken, according to the NGO, in 500 villages). The NGO will promote online teaching, support its teaching as an optional subject in public schools of all levels, mainly in the regions of N. Greece and in addition support the establishment of pedagogic schools/departments within universities for the training of local teachers. Macedonian" language and the preparation of curriculum and teaching materials. The event was duly celebrated by former Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and former Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov.
The above decision of Court of First Instance of Florini possibly related to the literal legal interpretation of the nationally damaging Treaty of Prespa, without a relevant political provision in this area. Given the timeless redemptive aspirations of the Skopje formation, it does not require much imagination to predict what will happen next. No one will be surprised if other similar associations spring up which, using the "Macedonian" language as a vehicle, will seek the defense of the linguistic rights of the "Macedonians", the characterization of this idiom as one of the minority languages of Europe and subsequently international recognition " Macedonian" minority in Greece. Even if the domestic "Macedonian volunteers" are insufficient in number, an organized redemptive movement may enrich them in the future with imported ones, in the context of the free movement of citizens within the EU.
History highlights a series of national defeats due to unilateral "faithful" compliance with Agreements, the provisions of which were not respected by the respective adversary, and in fact with zero timeless reactions. In this way, the Greek minority in Turkey was lost (unilateral Turkish violations of the Treaty of Lausanne), "ATTILAS II" took place in Cyprus with the occupation of 37% of Cyprus (faithful observance of the truce of July 22, 1974 by Greece, while the Turkey constantly strengthened the military invasion force) and now the Greek minority in Albania is being eliminated (property usurpation, intimidation, persecution, administrative electoral "alchemy", settlement of Muslim immigrants in the Greek regions, etc.) without any substantial Greek reaction.
The Agreement of Prespa gave the basically Slavic and Albanian population of the political formation of Skopje the name "Macedonians", the "Macedonian citizenship", the "Macedonian" language (no one will refer to the clarifications stating that they are of South Slavic composition), while at the same time it does not predict what the 2 million real Macedonians in our Macedonia will be called. The adverse results of the Prespa Agreement are a matter of time before they emerge in their real dimensions which touch vital national interests.
Despite the Prespa Treaty favorable to the formation of Skopje, his government continues to violate it, proving its undying redemptive intent. The name "Macedonia" or "Republic of Macedonia" appears in a number of sports events either in the title or on the jerseys of Skopje teams, it is used by public bodies (National Gallery, National Theatre, Macedonian Academy of Sciences, public websites of public and state organizations, tourism promotion, Museums, "heroes", in online map publications, etc.) and almost all of Skopje's private entities. In addition, Skopje organizations around the world continue in a series of events to openly demonstrate the expansionist intentions of their national center (use of the name "Macedonia", a flag with a Vergina sun, maps of "greater Macedonia", etc.). The developments are expected to worsen if the VMRO party takes over the governance of Skopje.
The current government, as the opposition, took the lead in not passing the Prespa Agreement, characterizing it as nationally damaging, but which binds subsequent governments and promised to monitor its observance. So far, no strong reaction to the above violations of the Agreement has been noticed. On the contrary, the Greek minority of Skopje, which numbers at least 100.000 people (according to the statement of the former President Kiros Gligorov, while valid estimates double the number) was never exploited with corresponding movements in the context of reciprocity (e.g. Establishment of Associations/NGOs for the learning and establishing the Greek language in Skopje).
The sacred space of Macedonia does not come from virgin birth. In the past, the fierce attempt to separate it from Greece on behalf of neighboring states under the auspices of a land "homodox" of a great power that was looking for "warm seas" and with the help of local renegades or misled/trapped people is known. So far, our country has tacitly and unquestioningly accepted the revival of "Macedonian language and identity" within the territory with what this means for national security. It should be pointed out that the entry of Skopje into the EU is the last mound of pressure towards this country, a fact that Bulgaria has realized and is making use of regarding the issue of the "Macedonian" language. Following this does the government intend to do one or more of the following?
To annul the decision of the Florin Court of First Instance at the highest level (Areios Pagos) for reasons of national security.
To thoroughly investigate the "Macedonian Language Center" Association for its connections and possible funding by those with a revisionist interest (e.g. government centers in Skopje, Turkish Consulate in Komotini, DEB party, secret services of non-neighboring states with tendencies to infiltrate Greece, etc. etc.) at the expense of Greece.
Legislate the ban on the teaching (even if optional) of the Skopje language idiom from all state education levels.
To proceed with the collection of aggregate evidence of violations of the Treaty of Prespa and to check whether there is a right to invoke Articles 56 and 60 of the Vienna Convention for the termination of the Treaty.
To raise the issue of the Greek minority in Skopje.
We live in a region and era characterized by fluidity, which requires vigilance to avoid damage to vital national interests and readiness to take advantage of opportunities. "Government is anticipating" has eternal validity while inaction is bad counsel. In any case, this letter is expected to be treated with due attention by a government whose party founder has tearfully declared that "the Μακεδονία it is one and it is Greek".
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Lieutenant General e.a. Ioannis Baltzois
The General Secretary of the Board of Directors, Major General e.a. Achilleas Saratinos
photo https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj8D5fe91eYB0KezEbrmL1w?app=desktop
