Foreign Ministry: Politicians and public figures from Bulgaria and North Macedonia have a responsible role in developing good neighbourly relations

In its position, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the politicians and public figures from Bulgaria and North Macedonia have a responsible role in building trust and developing good neighbourly relations and public statements that insult or provoke the other side are absolutely unacceptable and counterproductive.

This is in relation to a statement by MPs from the opposition party in the Republic of North Macedonia, "Levica" (the Left), according to whom six Bulgarians should be "declared persona non grata and banned from entering North Macedonia as "enemies of the Macedonian people".

The Bulgarians in question are Milen Vrabevski, MEPs Andrei Kovachev and Angel Dzhambazki, former VMRO chairman Krasimir Karakachanov, "Vazrazhdane" party chairman Kostadin Kostadinov and Viktor Stoyanov - chairman of the "Macedonia" Foundation, BTA reports on January 18.

This is the position of the ministry:

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms its firm position that politicians and public figures from Bulgaria and North Macedonia have a responsible role to play in building trust and developing good neighbourly relations between the two countries, as well as in reducing tensions in the public space.

In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that public statements that insult or provoke the other side are absolutely unacceptable and counterproductive. They do not represent the official position of the Bulgarian state and cannot be interpreted as such.

Given the common history that links the two countries, commemorations of common historical events and personalities, such as the anniversary of the death of Mara Buneva, should lead to a strengthening of trust and good neighbourliness.

At the same time, no less dangerous for bilateral relations are the calls of marginal parties in North Macedonia against Bulgarian politicians and public figures who are committed to defending the rights of Bulgarians in North Macedonia and projects for bringing the people of the two countries closer. Such an approach has the obvious aim of creating further tensions in bilateral relations in the interests of circles that are not interested in the European integration of the Republic of North Macedonia. Good-neighbourly relations with our friends in Skopje will be built through dialogue, not through bans."