Hahn: I’m prepared to personally support the name referendum

The Skopje-Athens name dispute solution will have an enormous significance for the entire region. I am prepared to personally support the referendum, says Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn.

“There will be a referendum in September and October and I have made myself available to support the agreement. I have certain influence in the country and I am prepared to use this,” Hahn told Vienna daily “Der Standard”.

He adds it would be better if the referendum was not tied to early elections.

“It is important not to tie the referendum to early elections, because it could be involved into an inter-partisan struggle. Leading opinion-makers in the country seem to understand this and see it as success and in the interest of the region as a whole. Therefore, I am convinced that the referendum will get the required majority,” says Hahn.

He is certain that Macedonia will get the green light at the EU Summit on June 28, followed by the NATO membership invitation in July.

“If the opposition joins towards obtaining a two-third majority for the constitutional changes in the parliament on the grounds of a successful referendum, the Greek parliament will be able to ratify the NATO accession protocol,” says Hahn.