, Macedonian Defense Minister Radmila Shekerinska [centre] and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev
. Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICKOVSKI[/i]
The US is ready to welcome Macedonia as NATO's 30th member if its citizens decide to support this path at the forthcoming referendum, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said in Skopje on Monday after meeting Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Defence Minister Radmila Shekerinska.
He described the September 30 referendum, which may pave the country’s way into NATO and the EU, as probably the most important decision in Macedonia's recent history.
Under a deal signed with Greece this summer, Macedonia agreed to change its name to the Republic of North Macedonia, while Greece agreed to lift its long-standing veto on Macedonia's NATO and EU integration.
Read more at: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/mattis-supports-macedonian-referendum-condemns-russian-meddling--09-17-2018 (http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/mattis-supports-macedonian-referendum-condemns-russian-meddling--09-17-2018)