NATO’s door is open for Macedonia but only its people can decide to walk through it, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told citizens of that country in a video message published online.

“It is now time to make your voices heard. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. NATO’s door is open but only the people of your country can decide to walk through it. So your future is in your hands. We wait for you in NATO,” Stoltenberg said.

He also said the historic agreement of the governments of Greece and Macedonia on the name dispute opens an opportunity for an equal membership of Macedonia in the international community, including the NATO membership.

The membership will bring along a security which comes when you are a part of the world’s most successful alliance, Stoltenberg said.

Citizens of Macedonia will declare on September 30 if they support the agreement with Greece on a two and a half decade long name dispute, which stipulates that the name Macedonia be changed into North Macedonia, with the guarantee for preserving Macedonian national identity, language, and culture.

A successful referendum and constitutional changes by the end of this year were set as a condition for integration of that country into the European Union and NATO.

Follow N1 via mobile apps for Android | iPhone/iPad | Windows| and social media on Twitter | Facebook.