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Macedonia: minister Ademi, referendum opportunity for the EU
Name change to enter the Union. 'I know Italy will support us'
15 September, 16:04
(by Andrea Pierini) (ANSA) - TRIESTE - ''The referendum will be
successful because Macedonia has no alternative but to join Nato
and the European Union, thanks also to the agreement with Greece
that paved the way for integration''. That is what the Minister
for the Diaspora of the Republic of Macedonia, Edmond Ademi,
told ANSA on the sidelines of his visit to the Regional Council
of FVG, talking about the referendum on the change of the
country's name from Macedonia (Fyrom) to 'Republic of Northern
Macedonia', which will take place on September 30.
''We have been cornered for so many years - Ademi added - this is the reason why I think the referendun is a good chance to look forward: membership of international organizations is also a possibility for the European Union to continue with the enlargement to the Eastern Balkans''. With regard the growth of far-right parties, the minister highlighted that ''the Union has always found solutions within itself to settle many disputes in the past, therefore I believe that the current situation, with the growth of far-right parties, will not be a problem for enlargement''. In terms of relations with Italy, Ademi does not see any change to the current situation.
''Italy is an important country regardless of the colour of its government and has always supported the Republic of Macedonia along its path towards EU accession. So I think the Italian government will vote in favour of Macedonia's accession in June 2019 and will approve the start of negotiations''. The delegation was welcomed by the speaker of the FVG Regional Council, Piero Mauro Zanin, and his deputy, Francesco Russo, who talked with the minister on possible collaborations with the republic. ''We have many migrants from Macedonia living in Italy and in Friuli Venezia Giulia - Ademi remarked - and it is important to create a positive relation between institutions in order to safeguard our migrants who live here and who are part of this community. We want to enhance cooperation with Friuli Venezia Giulia in many fields, such as infrastructure, culture, and investments and in all those sectors that can contribute to growth ''.
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''We have been cornered for so many years - Ademi added - this is the reason why I think the referendun is a good chance to look forward: membership of international organizations is also a possibility for the European Union to continue with the enlargement to the Eastern Balkans''. With regard the growth of far-right parties, the minister highlighted that ''the Union has always found solutions within itself to settle many disputes in the past, therefore I believe that the current situation, with the growth of far-right parties, will not be a problem for enlargement''. In terms of relations with Italy, Ademi does not see any change to the current situation.
''Italy is an important country regardless of the colour of its government and has always supported the Republic of Macedonia along its path towards EU accession. So I think the Italian government will vote in favour of Macedonia's accession in June 2019 and will approve the start of negotiations''. The delegation was welcomed by the speaker of the FVG Regional Council, Piero Mauro Zanin, and his deputy, Francesco Russo, who talked with the minister on possible collaborations with the republic. ''We have many migrants from Macedonia living in Italy and in Friuli Venezia Giulia - Ademi remarked - and it is important to create a positive relation between institutions in order to safeguard our migrants who live here and who are part of this community. We want to enhance cooperation with Friuli Venezia Giulia in many fields, such as infrastructure, culture, and investments and in all those sectors that can contribute to growth ''.
