Zoran Zaev

'Those who participate are those who decide and shape the result,' Zaev said, noting that he will bring the matter before parliament.

'Yesterday’s referendum in FYROM was completed with an overwhelming majority voting ‘Yes’, which is a positive development on the path toward ratifying and putting into effect the Prespa Agreement,' Tzanakopoulos noted.

The fact that two-thirds of the electorate did not vote in the referendum was a significant blow for Zaev, as it requires participation of over 50 percent of registered voted to be considered valid.

The Independent Greeks party's approach to the FYROM naming agreement has resulted in the party’s complete collapse in opinion polls (with about 1.5 percent).

In the heat of a campaign for the Greece-FYROM naming accord, FYROM prime Minister Zoran Zaev said that his country the only Macedonia, essentially calling into question the name of the Greek province of Macedonia.

'The Russian Federation is a friend of Macedonia, and has nothing against Macedonia’s accession to the European Union. They are against our participation in Nato, and they say that clearly,' said the PM of FYROM.

According to Laura Cooper, the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia, Moscow is paying voters to abstain from the referendum.

Zaev said that the decision that will be taken on 30 September is above parties, as it involves the country’s admission to the European Union and Nato