Skopje, 15 February 2023 (MIA) - Ohrid-based "Tsar Boris III" association has submitted a request for a name change to the Central Registry in accordance with amendments to the Law on Associations and Foundations. Bitola-based cultural center "Ivan Mihajlov", on the other hand, has not yet submitted a request for changes at a day ahead of the expiration of the stipulated deadline. 

The Central Registry told MIA that a letter of request to align the work of the association for the affirmation of the cultural values of Macedonian Bulgarians "Tsar Boris III" - Ohrid was sent on February 10, and the procedure is ongoing. No request has been submitted so far regarding Bitola-based "Ivan Mihajlov" association. 

According to the current legislation, if the two clubs don't change their names, the Government Commission should meet and adopt a position, which should then be submitted to the Ministry of Justice. Based on that, the minister should make a decision. If the decision is negative, the association should be removed from the Central Registry. 

Amendments to the Law on Associations and Foundations adopted in November 2022, don't allow for civil associations, foundations and political parties to use names, bynames, pseudonyms related to fascism, Nazism, genocide, the Third Reich, etc. The law has a retroactive effect, i.e. also applies to associations and foundations that have already been registered, and provides that those who don't act in line with the changes mentioned, will be removed from the registry after a decision is made by the Minister of Justice.

Earlier on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani met with Gjorgji Trendafilov and Ljupcho Gjorgievski, representatives of oerganizations of the Bulgarian community in North Macedonia, exchanging opinions on issues that concern them, challenges of the associations and the possibilities for more direct and intensive coperation with the state. 

Interlocutors expressed satisfaction from the direct approach in exchanging opinions and the intention for another meeting and enhanced dynamics in communication, for the purpose of more direct incorporation of the Bulgarian community and associations representing it within the regular cooperation between the state and the civil society sector, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.