French ambassador summoned to Bulgarian Foreign Ministry after Macron's remarks

France's ambassador to Sofia, Florence Robine, was summoned to a meeting at Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 4 after remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron made in an interview for a French magazine.

Last week, the French magazine Valeurs Actuelles published an interview with Macron who said he “preferred the people who arrive from Guinea or Ivory Coast legally, who are here and do work, than the underground (clandestine) Bulgarian or Ukrainian networks.”

During the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Petko Doikov spoke with French Ambassador Florence Robine, expressing his dismay at the remarks by French President Macron, which triggered an outcry in Bulgaria and among Bulgarian community in France.

Doikov stressed that there were no grounds for such statements.

The French ambassador said that it was a misunderstanding and words taken out of context.

Florence Robine, Ambassador of France: I expressed the opinion that it was a huge misunderstanding that the words of the French President were taken out of context, that at no point did the French President intended to make any remarks to Bulgarian citizens, workers or government. There is probably a protest note to be served by the Bulgarian ambassador to France, but no note was served here. It was a meeting where we clarified things, resolved the misunderstandings, and I really regret this huge misunderstanding.

During the meeting Ambassador Robine also emphasized the good cooperation between Bulgaria and France in the areas of education, culture and economy - relations that will be further developed.

Macron’s remarks sparked reaction by Bulgarian political figures.

Bulgaria's deputy prime minister and defence minister Krasimir Karakachanov demanded that Macron clarify his comments. "Nobody gives him the right to offend Bulgarian people," Karakachanov саид.

Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev in response to Macron’s comments said that Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, that the Bulgarians are citizens of United Europe and the freedom of movement is their right.

Bulgaria’s Prime minister on November 3 said he spoke with President Macron over the phone and that Macron assured him he never criticized Bulgarian citizens and workers. PM Borissov said he hoped Macron would give support on issues that were important for Bulgaria.