SKOPJE, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Macedonian will hold a referendum on the name deal with Greece when both countries reach an agreement, Macedonian Prime Minister (PM) Zoran Zaev said on Wednesday.
Speaking during a press conference on the occasion of the 1st anniversary of the government, Zaev emphasized that talks between Macedonia and Greece on Macedonia's name are in a "delicate" and "final" phase, adding that if a final deal is reached soon, the country plans a referendum in autumn this year.
"We all agree that a referendum will be held in September or October when we expect the citizens to give us directions for our future moves," said Zaev.
Zaev expressed belief that the Macedonian citizens will follow the decisions of the Government, decisions that are in the best of the state and all the citizens living in the country.
Zaev stated that he expected to have an important telephone call soon with the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras over a final deal.
"Today, tomorrow or on Friday at the latest, I will speak with PM Tsipras, after which I expect a breakthrough in the talks," Zaev said.
Moreover, Zaev pointed out that before the referendum is held, he expected agreement would be put to parliament for ratification in order not to waste any time in order for Macedonia to get an invitation to join the alliance during July NATO summit.
On Monday, Macedonia and Greece declared that they had reached a framework for a possible compromise in the name dispute.
Macedonia is formally called Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) at the United Nations. Macedonia is also the name of a northern province in Greece and Athens is worried that the use of the same name by the neighboring state could lead to territorial claims.
The solving of name row that exists between two countries is seen as main obstacle that Macedonia has to overcome in order to make progress towards the European Union and NATO integration.
During the NATO summit in Bucharest in 2008, Greece vetoed FYROM's application to enter the alliance without having solved the name issue. As Skopje has renewed efforts to join the EU and NATO, Greece has signaled that its position remains unchanged.
