The intervention of the Pan-Macedonian Association of Melbourne and Victoria has taken on strong political and community significance in Melbourne, after it sent almost identical letters to both Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, expressing “serious concern and indignation” over the use of the term “Republic of Macedonia” at an event organised by MOYA in Melbourne, attended by MPs from the two major political parties in the state.
The Pan-Macedonian Association, which describes itself as “the supreme Greek body representing the Macedonian community of the state since 1952,” argues that the use of this name constitutes a direct violation of the Prespa Agreement and contradicts the international legal framework that exclusively recognises the name “North Macedonia.”
The letters concern an event organised by the “Macedonian Orthodox Youth of Australia” (MOYA), held on May 23 at Sheldon Reception in Sunshine West, Melbourne, marking the organisation’s 20th anniversary. Representatives from both the Labor Party and the Liberal Party attended the event, along with diplomatic representatives of “North Macedonia.”
In the letter to Jacinta Allan, the Pan-Macedonian Association refers to the attendance of Minister Natalie Suleyman and Labor candidate Uroš Rasić, while the corresponding letter to Jess Wilson refers to the presence of Matthew Guy and Moira Deeming.
The organisation makes clear that the issue “is not the attendance of elected representatives at community events,” but rather “the way in which the event was promoted and publicly presented.” As noted, in MOYA’s social media posts the diplomatic representatives were described as representatives of the “Republic of Macedonia” rather than “North Macedonia.”
“This language is not a simple inaccuracy — it is the deliberate use of a name with no legal standing, serving a clear political purpose,” the letter states.
The Pan-Macedonian Association also invokes the Prespa Agreement, arguing that the agreement itself “did not transfer ownership of the Macedonian name nor abolish its significance for the Greek people.” It further contends that the use of expressions such as “Macedonian community” and “Macedonian identity” by MOYA creates a “monopolistic claim” over Macedonian identity.
In particularly strong language, the letters state that the presence of MPs from both major parties created within the Greek community the impression that “Victoria’s political system tolerates or does not challenge the use of terminology contrary to international law.”
“The perception that has emerged is that the use of terminology contrary to Australia’s international obligations is tolerated — or at least not challenged — by representatives from both sides of parliament,” the letters emphasise.
The President of the Pan-Macedonian Association, Peter Stefanidis, and the organisation’s Secretary, Haris Tsairis, who authored the letters, devote a significant portion of the text to Australia’s historical relationship with Macedonia. They refer to the participation of Australian soldiers on the Macedonian Front during World War I, the Battle of Vevi in 1941, and the work of Major George Devine Treloar in Thrace and Macedonia following the Asia Minor Catastrophe.
Special reference is also made to the sister-city relationship between Melbourne and Thessaloniki, which the Pan-Macedonian Association describes as “a bond lasting more than forty years.”
The organisation calls on both the Allan government and the opposition to publicly clarify their position regarding the Prespa Agreement and the official name of the country, as well as to examine whether there are guidelines for MPs participating in events where “legally outdated or internationally disputed terminology” is used.
In closing, the Pan-Macedonian Association stresses that the issue “is not partisan but a matter of principle,” underlining that Victoria’s Greek community “remains deeply committed to the values of justice, the rule of law and equal treatment.”
Pan-Macedonian Association – Letter to the PremierPan-Macedonian Association – Letter to the Opposition Leader