Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov welcomed the signing of the NATO accession protocol, but condemned the “lasting damage caused to Macedonia” in order to push the country to this point.

The President was always in favor of meeting the strategic goals of the Republic of Macedonia. Unfortunately, the President regrets the fact that today’s signing was preceded by the treaty to change the name of the Republic of Macedonia, which inflicted permanent damage to Macedonian national interests. The Republic of Macedonia had earned its place in NATO, given that it met all defense standards long ago, the office of the President said in a press release.