Macedonian Parliament Sets Date for Referendum on Changing Country's Name

The Macedonian parliament has set a referendum on renaming the country to North Macedonia for September 30. 68 out of 120 MPs voted in favor.

In the referendum, citizens will be asked to answer the question: “Do you approve of joining the EU and NATO by accepting the agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece?”

• NATO has formally invited Macedonia to begin accession talks as soon as the country is renamed. The EU has said it is ready to begin talks in 2019 if the country begins implementing the reforms demanded by the EU.