The conflict on the Skopje-Sofia line is escalating following the visit of North Macedonian President Gordana Silianovska to Sofia last Friday to attend an opera performance in the Bulgarian capital. The show was produced by the Lyric Theatre of North Macedonia.
By the way, G. Silianovska had an informal meeting with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev at the presidential palace in the Bulgarian capital.
The meeting “overshadowed” by not displaying the flag of North Macedonia during the meeting of the presidents of the two countries-there was only the Bulgarian (and EU) flag-, which provoked strong reactions from the government of North Macedonia.
He refused to accept the diploma
In fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia called the Bulgarian ambassador in Skopje last Tuesday to deliver a relevant letter of protest.
However, the latter rejected Skopje’s claims, stating that the meeting between the presidents of the two countries was informal, while at the same time, in a move not regularly seen in diplomatic practice, refusing to receive Skopje’s letter of protest.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport of North Macedonia Aleksandar Nikoloski called the president of Bulgaria “uncivilized”, because the country’s flag was absent at the meeting with the President of North Macedonia.
“He shows no respect”
“Things took this turn because apparently the host (ss Rumen Radev) was notI am not civilized or decent and I do not show respect – and let them send us a letter of protest if you want (from what I say)”, said the Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia last night in an interview with a Skopje television station.
“They don’t inspire optimism”
The Bulgarian president’s reaction was immediate: “Open and constructive dialogue, even at an informal meeting, such as the one between the presidents of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia on September 13, apparently greatly disturbed some circles in the government of Bulgaria. North Macedonia. The falsification of facts and the hysterical reactions of the government of the Republic of North Macedonia do not inspire optimism that our south-western neighbour wants relations with Bulgaria to escape the realm of challenges and scandals created. The “civilised” character of the new government of the Republic of North Macedonia will be judged by how it will continue to take part in the campaign of inciting hate speech against Bulgaria or will oppose it and respect international agreements, committing to meet the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership” is stated in a relevant announcement by the Bulgarian Presidency.
“Unprovoked provocations”
Earlier today, Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry announced that it had informed the country’s partners “about the unprovoked provocations by the government of the Republic of North Macedonia, which are aimed at undermining dialogue.”
North Macedonia’s troubled relations with Bulgaria have worsened particularly since the right-wing VMRO-DPMNE took power in Skopje last June. The two countries have historical, ethnic and linguistic differences that go back decades.
Source: AMPE