DOC Geographical names in country to be written in Romanian

Chisinau, May 16 /MOLDPRES/- Geographical names in the country, such as place names, natural features, historical and cultural areas will be written in Romanian. In areas inhabited by national minorities and if there is sufficient demand, geographical names will be indicated in Romanian and in the minority languages spoken by the inhabitants. This is stipulated in the Law on geographical names, which was published in the Official Journal today.

The new law aims to ensure the standardisation, use and protection of geographical names for the development and promotion of our country's natural, tourist, cultural and historical heritage. The document regulates the procedure for assigning geographical names and renaming geographical objects located within the administrative-territorial boundaries of the Republic of Moldova.

Under the new law, National Commission for Geographical Names will be set up as a collegiate body with consultative status, created under the Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Agency.

The law on geographical names will enter into force three months after its publication in the Official Journal of the Republic of Moldova. Within six months from the date of entry into force of the new law, the Government will approve the necessary normative acts to implement its provisions.

The Republic of Moldova has so far had no regulatory framework regulating the field of geographical names. The Academy of Sciences of Moldova has been responsible for this since 1990.