Have you ever thought of visiting Macedonia The tiny Balkan nation is stunning with natural beauty and architectural gems. However, if you do decide to make visit, make sure to know which country you&rsquore going to. Yes, you heard that right. After years of dispute with Greece, the nation of Macedonia will be called the Republic of North Macedonia, once the accord has been ratified by both countries&rsquo parliaments and a referendum in the Balkan country.
For over three decades, relationships had soured between the neighbouring countries because of the name. After Macedonia gained independence from Yogoslavia in 1991, the Greek government was livid because they felt the name was appropriated and also felt the Balkan nation had territorial aspirations because Greece, too, has a region called Macedonia. After all, it is the home of Alexander the Great and father Philip. No wonder the Greeks are possessive about the name.
"This is a brave, historic and necessary step for our peoples," Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had said some weeks ago, after signing the accord in Psarades, a fishing village, on the border between the two nations.
According to surveys, it&rsquos suggested that the Macedonian population will vote in favour of the new name. In the United Nations, the country has been called &lsquothe former Yogoslav Republic of Macedonia&rsquo or FYROM to avoid confusion. Once the country officially becomes North Macedonia, it will join a host of countries with directions in their names. We may not think of some of them as directions but think hard about it &ndash South Africa, East Timor We don&rsquot have any Wests right now after West Germany and Western Samoa ceased to exist. With North Macedonia (hopefully) changing its name soon, make sure to check when you apply for visas to travel to the Balkan country and also making it to a country with a direction in its name
PS One can't apply for a Macedonia visa from India. If you have a valid Schengen visa, visit away
