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Roundup: Macedonian citizens to vote in name referendum on Sept. 30 as political leaders with opposite messages
Last Updated: 2018-09-29 07:32 | Xinhua
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Macedonian citizens will vote in the name referendum on Sept. 30 in an atmosphere in which the main political leaders in the country ended the referendum campaign with opposite messages to the voters.

Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov on Thursday told Macedonian citizens that voting in a referendum is their right, not an obligation.

"Every citizen in Macedonia has the right to decide how to act on this referendum, to come out and to vote, or not even go out and boycott," said Ivanov.

Ivanov declared that he will boycott the referendum.

"On September 30, I will not go out to vote. I believe that you, my fellow citizens, will make a wise decision," said the president, adding that "This irrational dispute has had detrimental consequences for Macedonia and its citizens."

On a press release, the SDSM party called Ivanov's statement embarrassing.

"It is clear that the referendum is for Macedonia's European Union (EU) and NATO membership with a strong and secure identity. No plan B. Ivanov is not the one who decides, only the citizens who will come to the referendum decide, only citizens choose a future, choose membership in NATO and the EU for European Macedonia," the SDSM said in the press release.

Also on Thursday, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev concluded the campaign "For European Macedonia" in Tetovo, northwest Macedonia.

"Here we are, united as never before. Let this generation leave a mark we have mustered the courage to secure the future of this multi-ethnic Macedonia," underlined Zaev.

Meanwhile, the main opposition VMRO DPMNE party opposes the agreement reached with Greece.

On Thursday, VMRO DPMNE's Vice President Aleksandar Nikolovski declared that the referendum would fail to reach the turnout.

Around 1.8 million voters in Macedonia will on Sunday choose whether or not to support the agreement with Greece on the country's name and will have to answer the referendum question: "Do you support EU and NATO membership by accepting the deal between Macedonia and Greece?"

Macedonia is formally called the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) by the United Nations. Macedonia is also the name of a northern province in Greece. Athens is worried that the use of the same name by the neighboring state could lead to territorial claims.

The solving of the name row that has existed between two countries is seen as the main obstacle Macedonia has to overcome in order to make progress towards the European Union (EU) and NATO integration.

Under an accord signed by Greece and Macedonia in June, the official name of the country will become the Republic of North Macedonia.

(Editor:王苏)

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Roundup: Macedonian citizens to vote in name referendum on Sept. 30 as political leaders with opposite messages
Source:Xinhua | 2018-09-29 07:32
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