The European Union Diplomacy chief Federica Mogherini and the Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn called on Friday on all political parties and citizens of Macedonia to support a naming deal with Greece, Skopje media reported.

After meeting the Council for Stabilisation of Macedonia, Mogherini said that the Skopje – Athens agreement was “one of the most successful stories of our time.”

“All leaders, parties and citizens should see the benefit from the agreement, after long-lasting name dispute, and then be part of a constructive ratification and implementation of the deal,” Mogherini said after the meeting with the Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov and deputy Prime Minister Bujar Osmani.

The EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Affairs called on Macedonians to remember that only a month ago the agreement was not signed, the NATO invitation was not sent, and the date for the start of the accession negotiations with the EU did not exist, Macedonian media reported.

“The doors to the EU are open, and the county’s road to the Union is unchangeable. We firmly stand behind you,” Mogherini said.

Commissioner Hahn will visit Skopje to start analysing the compatibility of the Macedonian legislation with the EU rules and judge to what extent the country was ready for the beginning of negotiations.

“These preparations are not something that can be done in several weeks. There are 35 chapters to be prepared. It has to be done carefully, and it is essential that we do that in a year,” Hahn said.

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