Pendarovski had at least 10 invitations, but he came once – to the opening of the gas connection with Greece
North Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski threw a new batch of harsh accusations against Bulgaria and once again aggravated the relations between Skopje and Sofia. He even threatened not to allow Bulgarian President Rumen Radev into the RSM.
In the past 2 years, Bulgaria had a series of provocations against us. During these two years, I have not had a single constructive conversation with Radev, the Macedonian president told Sitel TV. He is pessimistic that the constitution will be changed by November. And he is categorical that there will be no leadership meeting at his invitation because there is no agreement from all parties.
The Bulgarians will not destroy the country, it is in no way threatened by the constitutional changes, Pendarovski also stated.
My doors are always open for him to command. In recent years, I have invited the president of North Macedonia to visit Bulgaria at least 10 times. The only visit was on October 1, at the interconnector opening mass. Then, with my personal assistance to Mrs. Von der Leyen, North Macedonia to receive financial assistance from the EU to buy electricity, President Rumen Radev answered him.
I hope that the president of North Macedonia realizes that the inclusion of Macedonian Bulgarians in the constitution helps his country to break with the ideologies of the totalitarian past and to democratize the country, Radev said. And he explained that we have consistent efforts for the European integration of our southwestern neighbor. Radev was adamant that we will continue to raise the issue of respecting the rights of the Macedonian Bulgarians, and their inclusion in the constitution is necessary for Skopje to start EU negotiations.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Milkov refused to comment on Pendarovski’s words in order not to raise tensions. He explained that the closure of Bulgarian cultural clubs in North Macedonia is an element of rising tensions. I don’t know if they are consciously trying to raise the tension, but since the so-called European proposal, we don’t see one step being taken towards its implementation or the implementation of the treaty, not in the textbooks or anything. Not to mention other steps, said Milkov.
On Wednesday, the caretaker government finally adopted a decree on the establishment of an Advisory Council to the agency for Bulgarians abroad. The Minister of Justice will be able to turn to him if it is necessary to clarify facts about the issuance of our passport of Bulgarian origin. Usually, parentage is proven with official documents of the Bulgarian state or institutions, which are issued to their parents, grandparents, etc. This is also the big problem – most applicants do not have documents. Until 2021, these cases were dealt with by the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, but due to a number of scandals, it was decided that this should be done by an Advisory Council, which is only now being created.
