Sofia, 9 May 2023 (MIA) - Bulgarian caretaker Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov summoned Tuesday North Macedonia's Ambassador Agneza Popovska for a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and expressed concern and disagreement with the actions by North Macedonia's border authorities at the Novo Selo crossing, who prevented Bulgarian Member of European Parliament (MEP) Andrey Kovatchev, chairman of Bulgarian Memory Foundation Milen Vrabevski, and three other Bulgarian citizens from entering the country on May 6.

Kondov said the move is considered unfounded and incompatible with European principles and norms that the Republic of North Macedonia has committed itself to observe.

The Bulgarian side claimed it is unacceptable to make lists banning citizens of an EU member-state. The MFA expects to be informed on the criteria according to which Bulgarian citizens and MEPs have been included in such lists. Minister Kondov said similar actions by official institutions in North Macedonia, which do not happen for the first time, are negatively perceived by the Bulgarian public and damage the goodneighborly relations between the two countries, the Bulgarian MFA said in a press release.

Earlier, North Macedonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the entry of a group of five nationals of the Republic of Bulgaria was not allowed due to non-fulfillment of the conditions for entry in the Republic of North Macedonia, in line with the law on foreigners.

"In addition, we would like to underline that in a group with which MEP Andrey Kovatchev was traveling, there were people whom the Ministry of Interior has info of posing a threat to public peace and security. MEP Andrey Kovatchev is not among them, but the competent authorities made such a decision because of the group he was travelling with. Every Member of the European Parliament that respects the dignity of the state and its citizens is welcome in North Macedonia," said the MFA.