Stoltenberg: NATO has no plan B for Macedonia


NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday there is no Plan B for Macedonia, because the country has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of joining NATO if it implements the Prespa Agreement.

“I firmly believe that the country must take decisions over its future. It is up to the government and the parliament to take these decisions. To decide how to move forward, how to react to the referendum and the political implications it has produced,” said Stoltenberg during a visit to Serbia.

The NATO chief said the Alliance is prepared to swiftly accept Macedonia as its 30. member if democratic institutions in Skopje decide to fully implement the Prespa Agreement.

“We can swiftly proceed towards signing the accession protocol, right after the name change. Democratic institutions in Macedonia decide if they accept and apply the name agreement. We are prepared to accept the country as our newest member,” stressed Stoltenberg.

He reiterated there is no Plan B or other alternative for Macedonia’s membership unless the agreement with Greece is implemented.

“No membership without the name agreement. That is why we welcomed the agreement between the two countries,” noted Stoltenberg.

He added that NATO will not force Macedonia into a decision, because it is a sovereign country taking its own decisions.

“However, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They have a chance and they need to seize this historic moment,” underlined Stoltenberg.