Authorities in Skopje began to remove official signs from government buildings on Monday to prepare for the institution of the country’s new name, the Republic of North Macedonia.
Signs reading “Government of the Republic of Macedonia” were removed from the country’s main government building. They will be replaced by signs reading “Government of the Republic of North Macedonia”, along with all official signs on the country’s borders.
The country’s name change is part of the obligations it pledged to fulfill following the ratification of the Prespa Agreement with Greece.
Athens was due on Monday to notify the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) of its ratification of both the Prespa Agreement and the NATO Accession Protocol.
The new official signboards carrying the new Republic of North #Macedonia name are printed and ready be put in front of Govt institutions, border crossings, etc. The first one will be installed tomorrow at the border crossing with #Greece.. pic.twitter.com/rf5Vve7nFQ
— Vladimir Petreski (@VPetreski) February 10, 2019
Skopje must also inform the United Nations and all countries it has established diplomatic relations with of the name change, and ensure all domestic signs and internal documents conform to the change.
On Saturday, Greece’s Alternate Foreign Minister George Katrougalos announced that, from now on, the authorities of the former FYROM must use the new name on every occasion and in every appropriate place name.
In addition to this, Zaev’s government will be tasked with setting out a plan regarding the actions that will be taken nationwide. Every single instance where the old name of the country is still in use, such as on official documents, roads, and signs, will be affected.
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