Osmani: Macedonia's new name deal, new chapter for region

The two states agreed this week that the Macedonian state will take the name Northern Macedonia, and that, according to Osman, is one of the three most important dates in Macedonia's history. He has said Macedonia will now open the doors for integration into the European Union and NATO membership.

I think it's one of the most important dates in Macedonian history. What is September 8th 1991 from independence -- 13 August of the Ohrid Agreement -- the third date is June 12th, days when I think a Berlin Wall was also destroyed in the Balkans that will ultimately enable the region's integration into NATO and the consolidation of the region into the European Union. It will be marked as the day that opens a new European chapter for Macedonia and the” region, he has said of KTV's interactive.

Osmani has said Albanians in Macedonia have also received the new name positively, “since the name has been an obstacle to NATO and EU membership”.

He has said that immediately after the vote in Macedonia's Parliament, Greece will inform NATO that problems have been overcome and that there are more obstacles to NATO enlargement. The new name has said it paves the way for EU membership as well, but according to it it is more complex.

As for speculation against the agreement, Osman has said that “is natural to have reactions because not all sides are satisfied”.

“Proteta stands before parliament. I hope they're not violent. There is natural reactions because it is emotional. It's emotion accumulated for 27 years. Loaded by various agendas, they explode. There will also be attempts at obstruction by actors and factors that have no interest in NATO membership. Energy of resistance to NATO membership will have different forms, but it is irreversible. This agreement, despite any resistance attempt, will see its own light”, he has further said. “The agreement is compromise. Compromises always do not satisfy the expectations and demands of all sides. The majority of forces in both countries consider the agreement to guarantee the dignity of both sides and stability in the region. There's going to be resistance, somewhere exciting and something original, but I think the deal will work”.

He has said that, in Macedonian passports, he will now write <x0-> capital of the Republic of Northern Macedonia”.

Osmani has also spoken of the joint meeting expected to be held between Kosovo and Macedonia governments. He has said that everything is in order and that only the appointment of the two prime ministers is left.

With the government's decision, I am Macedonia's co-ordinator for the joint meeting. We and the groups have worked intensively and worked to detail the agenda. Only technical issues and the appointment of the date remain, which is the job of prime ministers depending on the agenda. As co-ordinators Enver Hoxhaj and I are ready for this meeting”, he said at the end.