Bujar Osmani, Deputy Prime Minister of FYROM responsible for European Affairs said his government intended to recognise the validity of Sunday’s referendum on the Prespa Agreement, even if the turnout of voters is low.

During his meeting with his Albanian counterpart, Mr Osmani, Etilda Gjonaj, in Brussels, Mr Osmani said: “the Macedonian language will soon become one of the official languages of the European Union “. The FYROM politician, of Albanian descent, met with the Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Johannes Khan and his Albanian colleague.

As the Deputy Prime Minister of FYROM pointed out the participation of 40% of FYROM citizens would be enough to give legitimacy to the referendum, as the head of state was elected with the same percentage. Mr Osmani refused to comment on the possibility of a negative outcome to the referendum, stressing that “citizens of the country understand the importance of a positive vote for the country’s gradual integration into the European Union and NATO.”

On his part, Commissioner Khan said that now is the time for citizens to decide who, according to him, are well informed about the prospects that have been opened in the country after the visits of many leaders in Skopje to express the support of the international community in a positive outcome of the referendum.