An expert from Serbia, the founder of the Russian-Serbian educational center Bosko Kozarski, commented to NewsFront on the referendum in Macedonia that took place the day before, its results and possible consequences.
Recall that last Sunday, September 30, this country held a plebiscite with the question “Do you support joining the EU and NATO with the adoption of an agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the Greek Republic?”. But it, obviously, will not be recognized as held: the turnout for half an hour before the closing of the stations was 34% with mandatory more than 50%. On the eve of the vote, the president and the largest opposition party called for a boycott of the referendum organized by pro-Western Prime Minister Zoran Zayev after the agreement with Greece.
News Front: In your opinion, what caused such a low turnout? The boycott of the referendum in this case means “no” to renaming the country and joining the EU and NATO?
Bosko Kozarski: Despite the pressure, the people of Macedonia clearly showed their negative attitude towards the referendum and the fact that it is not ready for a complete betrayal of the national idea. This boycott does not mean the end of the crisis between Macedonia and Greece, on the contrary, its deepening, and the separation of Macedonia from the European Union.
NF: What steps are now to be expected from the Macedonian authorities?
BK: It is known that this new political crisis in Macedonia will have an impact on the forthcoming elections, which will take place under the sign of the referendum issue, in a different “packaged” way. And without elections, the situation in Macedonia will not move from the deadlock on which this post-Yugoslav republic is now located.
NF: What in general now awaits Macedonia? Is the country preparing for another round of political crisis?
BK: The West promised the Albanians to create a Great Albania. It is impossible to do this immediately, therefore conditions are formed for the subsequent implementation of this project. We saw an example in Kosovo and Metohija, how an “independent” state is created in defiance of international law. As for Macedonia, the formation of the Albanian-Slavic Union republic is underway. We have seen speculation with the proposed name – Ilirida. So, considering the plans of Western structures, the crisis in Macedonia will be long.