Listen to the news

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in North Macedonia, the celebration of 151 years since the birth of Gotse Delchev took place "in the best order and without disturbing public order and peace", with the participation of numerous official and civil delegations from the Republic of North Macedonia , including the official delegation of the Republic of Bulgaria and Bulgarian citizens to pay tribute to Gotse Delchev.

All about the topic:

Relations Bulgaria - Republic of Macedonia 872

"However, we regret to note that both on the eve and after the celebration of 151 years since the birth of Gotse Delchev, radical-minded individuals, representatives of organizations and political parties in Bulgaria continue to make territorial claims to the Republic of North Macedonia and constantly undermine the dignity of the Macedonian citizens, the Macedonian people and our country", reads the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Skopje, quoted by BTA.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia and the laws, as well as international law, the competent institutions of North Macedonia were obliged and took all necessary measures to prevent provocations, tension and incidents that could threaten national security , public order, people's health and the state's international relations.

"Despite the expressed will, the Republic of Bulgaria did not make sufficient efforts to prevent the access of radical-minded persons to the Deve Bair border crossing point, thereby enabling some of them to behave aggressively, insult and exercise violence against representatives of the border police of Northern Macedonia," the position reads.

The three arrested Bulgarians in the RSM were beaten

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia specifies that, in accordance with established work protocols and EU standards for safe border management, some violators of public order and tranquility have been detained and handed over to the competent court, which has imposed the relevant measures, and the ministry will a letter will be sent to the EP "in which it will inform about the inappropriate and offensive behavior of the Bulgarian MEP Alexander Yordanov on social networks".

In its position, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia denies the claims that a joint celebration of Gotse Delchev was agreed with the Republic of Bulgaria.

"We remind you that one of the tasks of the Joint Expert Commission on Historical and Educational Matters, established under the Agreement on Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation with Bulgaria, is to prepare recommendations for the joint veneration of historical figures.

Until now, the Mixed Commission has not prepared a recommendation for a joint honoring of Gotse Delchev", it is written in the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Skopje, in which they specify that the official Bulgarian delegation, led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Demerdzhiev, is was given the opportunity to present flowers in front of the grave of Gotse Delchev in the Church of Saint Spas in Skopje "as a sincere and consistent gesture".

"The Republic of North Macedonia cultivates good neighborly relations and advocates the establishment of sustainable friendly relations and productive cooperation with all neighboring countries, including the Republic of Bulgaria.

In accordance with these definitions, we expect the authorities in the Republic of Bulgaria, in the spirit of friendship and good neighborliness, to engage in principle and take all necessary actions to de-escalate tensions by publicly condemning and taking action against all actions that do not contribute to the conduct of a constructive and good-faith dialogue based on mutual respect and admiration," the position reads.

Relations between Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia