Two years ago today, 609,813 Macedonian citizens said “Yes” to the referendum question “Are you in favor of EU and NATO membership by accepting the Agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece?”, says Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.

“The road leading to a safe Euro-Atlantic future received more votes than winners of all parliamentary elections in the history of independent Macedonia. The referendum result was a signal that MPs are obliged to follow the will of the majority and they accepted this historic responsibility. The Parliament made brave decisions, which benefits are already felt,” PM Zaev says in a Facebook post.

He adds that the core of the Prespa Agreement is North Macedonia’s future, resulting in the country’s NATO membership and the decision for the start of EU accession negotiations.

“These brave decisions lead to a better life for all citizens, reaffirming the rich historic and cultural heritage of our glorious Macedonian nation,” says Zaev.

He notes that the agreement “guarantees the right to call ourselves Macedonians, while the Macedonian identity reflects our territory, language and people, including its history, culture and heritage.”

“Today, our country is registered in the United Nations as the Republic of North Macedonia, translated in all languages, with the same anthem, coat of arms and flag as before. This generation of Macedonian citizens has embraced democracy as the highest value but also as responsibility. In the name of that responsibility, we took the necessary steps for the most important decisions on the future of all citizens,” underlines Zaev.