The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) handed over Tuesday a note of protest to Greece's ambassador to Macedonia, Alexandra Papadopoulou in relation to the case involving stickers put on new vehicle registration plates owned by Macedonian citizens when entering Greece, urging this "illegitimate practice" to stop.

The protest note says that the new vehicle registration plates are in compliance with EU and international standards and that Greece's move is not in line with the obligations stipulated by the Interim Accord, MoFA sources say.

This conduct by Greek border organs, they add, is against the 1995 Practical Measures Memorandum referring to the implementation of the Interim Agreement, which serve to facilitate the movement of people and goods. In accordance with the Memorandum "upon entry of a private vehicle into the Republic of Greece, Greek organs can place a self - adhesive sticker, not bigger than the distinguishing signs used in international transport (oval stickers in line with international standards) on the back or front windshield." The Memorandum, MoFA says, does not envisage measures considering registration plates. The ministry also reacts over the use of the acronym FYROM on stickers handed out by Greek customs officials, which is also against the Interim Agreement.

At the same time, MoFA denies today's statement by the Greek ambassador that Macedonian authorities have failed to react over this practice, stressing that active measures are being taken to solve the problem.

The ministry says that after reactions from citizens and media reports, country's consulate in Thessaloniki in a letter dated June 22 asked for an explanation from Greek customs authorities over the disputable use of stickers. Greece, in a response received yesterday, states that the attaching of stickers on vehicles by Macedonian citizens having registration plates with MK sign has been and is still being used based on a directive by the Ministry of Finances and in accordance with the countries' agreement in 1995 i.e. on a free space on the back windshield.

MoFA informs that further developments will be monitored and that adequate measures will be taken.

Greek border authorities have been placing a sticker reading "Recognised by Greece as FYROM" written in Greek and English over the new Macedonian registration plates to cover the MK sign on them.