French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday urged Macedonian citizens to go to the referendum on renaming the country under a treaty with Greece and support the agreement.
BELGRADE (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2018) French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday urged Macedonian citizens to go to the referendum on renaming the country under a treaty with Greece and support the agreement.
In June, the Greek government signed an agreement with the Republic of Macedonia which resolved the long-running dispute over the name of the former Yugoslav republic, but caused criticism in both countries. According to polls, most Greeks oppose the fact that the name of the neighboring country would still contain the word "Macedonia." The referendum on renaming the former Yugoslav republic to the Republic of Northern Macedonia will take place in the country on September 30. If the name change is approved, the country will be able to seek NATO and EU membership.
"A step forward [in relations] between your country and Greece was made thanks to the bravery of your leaders. It put an end to the 27-year dispute. The agreement signed in Prespa on June 17, 2018, makes possible progress and preparation for the future ... You must choose and decide whether you are in favor of changing the constitution or not ... I am strongly in favor of it and firmly believe that this is a good treaty for you, for the whole region and Europe. I count on you!" Macron said in a video address to Macedonian citizens, which was posted by media.
Macron is not the first politician who had appealed to the citizens of the former Yugoslav republic, urging them to support renaming of the country. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, US President Donald Trump, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg are among politicians who directly or indirectly have called on Macedonian citizens to vote in the upcoming plebiscite for the country's renaming.
Stoltenberg said during a NATO summit in Brussels on July 11 that the leaders of all 29 member states had formally invited Macedonia to join the alliance. He specified that as soon as Macedonia makes necessary changes to the constitution, NATO would be able to officially invite the country to join the alliance under the name of the Republic of Northern Macedonia.
