In an interview with Macedonian information agency MIA on Wednesday 22 August, European Commissioner for Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn spoke of his regret regarding the call to boycott the referendum on the agreement with Greece on the name 'North Macedonia'.
"Holding the referendum means empowering citizens to take a decision on an agreement which has far-reaching consequences for their country and their own future! I regret therefore very much that at times where national unity is needed to embrace the remarkable progress achieved, there are still actors who prefer obstruction to constructive work in the interest of the country’s future", Hahn told MIA.
He thus again called on Macedonians to be informed and to use their "voting right" which is "an important democratic achievement". "In order to really make use of this right, citizens should carefully analyse the motivation behind the campaigns and the consequences of a yes or no vote in order to be able to make an informed decision", he stated.
The referendum on the change of the country's name to 'The Republic of North Macedonia' will take place on 30 September. Citizens will be asked to answer the question: "Do you favor EU and NATO accession by accepting the agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece?" (see EUROPE 12074). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)