Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Reinforced security measures in Blagoevgrad as Macedonian Club opens up

Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev personally led the operation to protect public order

Photo: BNR-Blagoevgrad

An official opening of a "Macedonian Cultural Club "Nikola Vaptsarov" was held in Blagoevgrad. The private initiative was attended by opposition political leaders and Mile Bosnjakovski - Chief of Staff of the President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski. 

An hour earlier the Bulgarian National Movement IMRO announced a protest against the opening of the club to be held in front of the monument to Gotse Delchev. The protesters met the group of Macedonians, who had headed to the city centre to lay flowers at the Gotse Delchev monument, and blocked their way, so they had to lay their flowers in the square. 
Hristijan Mickoski of the Macedonian party VMRO-DPMNE told the media, "We are here to support the opening of the new club. The right to self-determination must be respected. That is why we are here to support our Macedonian community in Bulgaria". To the remark that it is agreed in the Good Neighbour Agreement that there is no Macedonian minority in Bulgaria, the leader of the Macedonian conservative Integra party, Ljupcho Ristovski, replied that this document should be revised. Residents of the regional town believe that the opening of the club is an outright provocation, BNR correspondent Katti Trencheva reports from Blagoevgrad.
The central part of the town was blocked by police during the event to prevent provocations. Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev personally led the operation to protect public order. The police did not allow any disturbances.







Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Agriculture Minister Georgi Tahov met with livestock breeders from the region and representatives of the affected farms

Tension in Velingrad due to a suspected outbreak of sheep and goat plague

Due to the outbreak of Peste des Petits Ruminants (sheep and goat plague) in Velingrad and the subsequent protests by farmers, 300 new samples will be taken today. Currently, 1,700 sheep are at risk of being forcibly euthanized. The decision for a..

published on 11/27/24 9:52 AM

MPs gather for sixth attempt to elect speaker of parliament

Exactly a month after the parliamentary elections on October 27, the first session of the 51st National Assembly, which started on November 11, continues today. MPs will make a sixth attempt to elect a speaker. During the fifth..

published on 11/27/24 8:15 AM

Sunny Wednesday with temperatures reaching up to 15°C

Wednesday will be mostly sunny. There will be weak to moderate west-northwesterly wind. The lowest temperatures are expected to be between minus 3° and 2°C; in Sofia - around minus 1°C. The highest temperature will reach 10°C to 15°C;..

published on 11/26/24 6:50 PM