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German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on the right, is greeted by Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev on arrival at the Skopje government building, Macedonia, on Saturday, September 8, 2018. German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Macedonia on Saturday, three weeks before the referendum. Macedonia's agreement with neighboring Greece to change the name of the country to "Macedonia North", which would facilitate EU accession to the EU and the EU. ; NATO. (Boris Grdanoski / Associated Press)
SKOPJE, Macedonia – German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday visited Macedonia, the third Western leader to do so this week, as a sign of support for the government ahead of the next referendum to change the name of the country and to qualify for NATO .
The Macedonians vote on September 30 on a proposal to transform the name of the former Yugoslav Republic into "Macedonia of the North". The name change would end a long-standing conflict with the neighboring country and member of NATO, accusing the Balkan nation of involving territory and ancient heritage from its own northern region of Macedonia.
"It's a historic chance that a generation only has one." Do not stay at home: take the democratic opportunity to say what you think about the future of your country, "Merkel told a joint press conference with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.
The agreement between Greece and Macedonia was signed in June at Lake Prespa, on the border of both countries. It must be approved in a referendum and amended the constitution of Macedonia.
The German Chancellor visited after Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg both went to Skopje to vote "yes" in the referendum.
US President Donald Trump, in a message written to his Macedonian counterpart Gjorge Ivanov, said: "The Agreement and Macedonia's accession to NATO will enhance security, stability and prosperity throughout the region.
Polls indicate that Macedonians will support the agreement, but it is not certain that the participation rate will reach the 50% threshold required.
Conservative opposition parties in Macedonia and Greece remain firmly opposed to the deal. Demonstrations against the agreement are expected later Saturday in the city of Thessaloniki, north of Greece.
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