Voters in Macedonia will decide on Sunday whether to accept a deal with Greece to change the country's name to North Macedonia. It's been 27 years since the former Yugoslav Republic gained independence, but the issue over what should be its internationally-recognized name is still not resolved. Our Aljosa Milenkovic has more from the Macedonian capital Skopje. 

Some would say this is one of the kitschiest town centers in the world.

It was constructed a few years ago with money borrowed from foreign lenders.

And it was another move that angered the neighboring Greeks.

For them, every piece of architecture and monuments around here is an outright ripoff of Greek history.

Skopje's city center was built under the previous government, which insisted on their perception of the name and heritage of this country.

They couldn't care less about Greece's objection that the name Macedonia belongs exclusively to the northern province of Greece.

But after the new government came to power here last year, they've radically changed the political course of the country.

The footage is from this past June, when a historic agreement with Greece was reached, about changing the country's name to North Macedonia and getting rid of all its Greek legacies.

But the agreement needs to be endorsed by the people here at a referendum on Sunday.

ZORAN ZAEV MACEDONIAN PRIME MINISTER "Everybody makes compromises at home, with our spouses, admit it or not. It is so. Compromise is made after war, you leave the rifles and tanks, sit at a table and make compromises. We reached a deal, a just compromise, and we made a friend along the way. Let's move forward with our beautiful Macedonia."

ALJOSA MILENKOVIC SKOPJE "To vote or not to vote. That is the question facing Skopje on the eve of a crucial referendum that will decide Macedonia's new name. The country and its leadership are deeply divided over the vote, and whether they should go to the polls at all on Sunday. On one side is Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, a strong advocate of the referendum, while on the other is the country's President Gjorge Ivanov."

Just days ago, the Macedonian president addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

He said the deal was unjust for his country and was reached under severe pressures from the West and Greece.

From the UN General Assembly, President Ivanov sent a strong message to his fellow citizens.

GJORGE IVANOV PRESIDENT OF MACEDONIA "Don't lose your hope and love towards the Republic of Macedonia, because only as a sovereign country, it can be the protector of your freedom and human dignity. I as a citizen already made a decision. On September 30, I will not vote. I believe that you too will make wise decisions."

This deal could bring the prospects of NATO and European Union memberships to his country. But Ivanov said eventually endorsing it would be historic suicide for Macedonia.

It will now be up to voters here to decide on Sunday, whether they agree with him or not.

Aljosa Milenkovic, CGTN, Skopje.