Skopje, 18 January 2022 (MIA) – The government condemns in the strongest possible terms alleged intentional omission of certain parts, lyrics from North Macedonia’s anthem played at the official welcome ceremony for Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov as reported by some media outlets. “The military orchestra of the Army of North Macedonia, according to military and state protocol, is engaged for welcoming ceremonies for foreign politicians. Without exception, instrumental shortened versions of the state anthems are played. Anthems are never played fully with vocalists singing the lyrics,” the government said in a statement. Allegations that lyrics from the anthem were omitted specifically for this visit are disinformation, it noted.