Mattis: The referendum is the most important vote in your history

The upcoming referendum is the most important vote in the history of your nation. At the referendum you will decide on your future, take advantage of the opportunity to move towards new future and in this you have the support of the United States, US Defence Secretary James Mattis said at the joint press conference with PM Zoran Zaev and Defence Minister Radmila Sekerinska on Monday.

“We recognize complex political process which is ahead of you and we support you in exercising your democratic vote and responsibility to vote,” Mattis said.

He noted that the Prespa Agreement will enable implementation of key reforms in the process of NATO and EU accession, will strengthen the security and economic development of Macedonia.

“I applaud you for your tireless efforts to achieve historic agreement with Greece in Prespa. We are aware that it has demanded patient diplomacy from both sides and compromises are always difficult, Mattis said, expressing gratitude to Zaev and Sekerinska for their engagement in resolving as he underlined “difficult name dispute.”

He reminded on statement of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that by joining NATO, Macedonia will receive equal place in the most successful military alliance along with 29 other member states, which as Mattis said, are committed to protecting you and your security.

“It brings enhanced security, as well as strengthened economic development, Mattis said, underlining that example of Montenegro where foreign investments have doubled since country joined NATO.

He also noted that the Alliance is committed to preserving territorial integrity and safeguarding freedom and democracy.

“We are ready to welcome you as NATO’s 30th member,” US Defence Secretary said.

Mattis announced that he is to meet with President Gjorge Ivanov with whom, as he said, will continue talks on the bright future that lies ahead of the country.

PM Zaev underlined that this is another festive day for Macedonia due to the visit of senior US official. He said that Mattis’s visit is in significantly important period when the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia are preparing for the referendum to cast their vote for accepting the agreement with Greece and by this our membership in NATO and EU.

“The visit is another confirmation of the encouragement and affirmation of our strategic partnership and is a strong incentive for the correctness of the policies that the Republic of Macedonia is taking in terms of dialogue, tolerance,” Zaev said.

Sekerinska told press conference that Mattis’s visit represents a strong confirmation for strategic partnership between Macedonia and the USA.

“Your visit is the first visit to Macedonia by the US Secretary of Defence in the past 14 years. For the first time in our history as an independent state, the US Defence Secretary and Macedonian Defence Minister have two meetings in Washington, but also in Skopje in less than six months. All this speaks about our strategic partnership, but all of this also speaks about your personal commitment to Macedonia and its membership in NATO,” Sekerinska said.

She said that Macedonia is only one step closer to joining NATO and on this path Macedonia received US strong support from the very beginning.