US Embassy in Bulgaria: US has not raised Macedonia minority issues with the Bulgarian government

The United States supports the efforts of the governments of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia to work together with the EU to resolve bilateral issues, a written response to BNT from the US Embassy in Sofia says on January 14.

The occasion is a material of the Voice of America with US Deputy Assistant Secretary overseeing policy towards the countries of the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar. According to the material, the US Embassy in Sofia and the Bulgarian government are working to address the issues of the "Macedonian minority" in Bulgaria.

The embassy said the interview had led to some misconceptions about US policy in the region.

“The US government has not raised these minority issues with the Bulgarian government. Our discussions with the Bulgarian government have focused on our common vision for a stronger, more prosperous and united Europe through the integration of all its parts, including the Western Balkans."

BNT has a transcript of the full interview, which shows that the words "Macedonian minority" appear in the question of journalism and not in Escobar's answer.

He directs the question to the US Embassy in Bulgaria and states that the US and Bulgaria have fruitful and important cooperation.