US Defense Minister Matis told that he would be visiting Macedonia on 18th September 2018 and expressed his concerns over Russia’s inference in the country. His visit comes before the referendum on September 30, on changing the country’s name, to which Russia denies with the allegations.
The Government of Macedonia proposed a deal with its neighbor country Greece on changing the country’s name to The Republic of Macedonia. The deal was discussed in the month of June with an aim to join NATO and the European Union.
Mattis expressed his concerns over Russia’s interference during the referendum. “I am concerned about it. The kind of mischief that Russia has practiced from Estonia to the United States, from Ukraine and now to Macedonia, it always has adapted to the specific situation and it’s always beyond the pale,” Mattis, who will visit Macedonia over the weekend, told reporters.
Further, he said that US is in all support with Macedonia’s decision in becoming an alliance of NATO and European Union. US welcome Macedonia with all support.
NATO invited Macedonia to begin accession talks with the alliance, but said it would have to change the constitution and adopt the new name first. The EU has also said it would set a date for Macedonian accession talks pending implementation of the name deal.
Moscow’s ambassador to Skopje criticized Macedonia’s decision to join the European Union and NATO, saying “it would be a legitimate target” and the relations with Russia and NATO would further deteriorate.
The government of Greece which was elected in 2017 set an agreement with Greece. Citizens along with the President Gjorge Ivanov, oppose the deal saying it against the Constitution.
In July, Greece expelled two Russian diplomats and barred two other people from entering the country, accusing them of having meddled by encouraging demonstrations and bribing unidentified officials to thwart the Macedonia agreement.
Russia has denied wrongdoing and responded in kind with expulsions of Greeks.