Russian Ambassador Bazdnikin Calls for Referendum Decision without Meddling

This is a historic moment for Macedonia and the decisions to be made in the next few weeks will determine the country’s future, new Russian Ambassador in Skopje Sergey Bazdnikin said Tuesday as he presented his credentials to President Gjorge Ivanov. “It is very important for these decisions to respect the constitution, reflect the will of the citizens of Macedonia, not to be imposed from outside, to unite, not disintegrate the society, be based on the principles of the international law stipulated in the UN Charter,” Bazdnikin said. Russia is committed to advancing the relations, cooperation with Macedonia, based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit, Bazdnikin said. Joining EU and NATO is Macedonia’s national interest, but the country also attaches significance to advancing the overall relations with Russia, Ivanov said.