Bulgarian diplomacy finds it increasingly difficult to trust Skopje

published on 2/6/23 3:52 PM

Photo: EPA/BGNES

On Saturday, February 4, Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia ‎celebrated 151 years since the birth of Gotse Delchev in a situation of strained ‎relations between the two countries. According to information from the ‎Bulgarian Ministry of the Interior, the North Macedonian authorities have not ‎allowed Bulgarian citizens into the territory of North Macedonia, an "unofficial ‎prohibited list" is also reported. ‎

The Bulgarian delegation, led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of ‎Internal Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Ivan Demerdzhiev, laid a wreath at ‎the grave of Gotse Delchev in the Church of St. Spas in Skopje.‎

According to Demerdzhiev, there were various attempts at provocation, but the ‎Bulgarian side maintained the most correct behavior possible in such situations. ‎‎‎"The mutual respect that we declare to the people of North Macedonia and the ‎assurances we received imply exactly that - to give everyone the opportunity to ‎come and honour the memory of Gotse Delchev", noted Demerdzhiev and ‎pointed out, that the relations between the two nations do not imply such ‎draconian measures as the Bulgarian citizens witnessed at the border.‎

‎"The reasons for not allowing Bulgarian citizens to bow before the memory of ‎Gotse Delchev on February 4 in Skopje are extremely unconvincing and ‎violate previously given assurances." This was stated to bTV by the Deputy ‎Minister of Foreign Affairs and spokesperson of the ministry, Kostadin ‎Kodzhabashev.‎

‎"The attitude of the authorities North Macedonia is humiliating and ‎unacceptable towards the Bulgarian people and Bulgaria," said the ‎spokesperson. “We firmly believe that the actions of the Macedonian ‎authorities have caused serious damage to the restoration of trust between ‎Skopje and Sofia. It is definitely becoming increasingly difficult for us to ‎recognize in the behavior of the authorities in Skopje a desire to build the ‎necessary trust, friendship and cooperation”.‎

Kodzhabashev stressed that Sofia will keep diplomatic channels open. He ‎commented that there is no case of imposing a veto on the European ‎integration of North Macedonia in the EU, because it has not actually started. ‎In order to begin, North Macedonia must enroll Macedonian citizens with ‎Bulgarian self-awareness in its Constitution.‎

‎"Bulgaria will always react when the rights and security of Bulgarian citizens ‎and those citizens with a Bulgarian identity are affected. This is our categorical ‎request and the Macedonian side is very well aware of this insistence of ours", ‎the Deputy Minister also pointed out.‎

Compiled by Ivo Ivanov

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Share

Bulgarian diplomacy finds it increasingly difficult to trust Skopje

More from category

APS calls for investigation into Delyan Peevski's role in the bankruptcy of KTB Bank and Bulgartabac Holding

Vote annulment will not lead to new Bulgarian government, GERB leader Boyko Borissov says

North Macedonia's Premier Hristijan Mickoski spoke with GERB leader Boyko Borissov

The MPs to make a new attempt to elect National Assembly Speaker

Bulgaria Can: A new player in politics

GERB leader Boyko Borissov offers a way out of the political crisis