Skopje, 29 July 2023 (MIA) - The most important thing is not to link relations among fans with inter-state relations or ethnic groups, because the fan world is a separate one and relations could only suffer if we allowed this spillover, said Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani on Saturday.

FM Osmani was quizzed at a press conference on the incidents related to the recent Shkupi-Levski football match in Skopje.

Asked by Bulgarian journalists about comments by certain Bulgarian politicians that the incidents take North Macedonia further from Europe, Osmani said this is "regretful", adding that those who attempt to draw political analysis from fan tensions do that maliciously and want to harm bilateral relations.

"The position of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fair. Political parties trying to gain political points on tensions among fans do not mean Bulgaria or North Macedonia or their bilateral relations well, let alone assessing North Macedonia's readiness for Europe based on fan tensions," said Osmani.

He recalled that the MFA has already condemned the incidents and urged the competent authorities to undertake all measures to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The FM added that the match was designated as a high-risk event, with the police and the MFA undertaking all measures to prevent fan violence.

"Such incidents involving various ethnic groups and communities often took place in the past here, and I have always said that conclusions cannot be made regarding community relations on the grounds of fans' behavior. The fan world is a separate one and these events should never be put in the context of political relations within or between states," said Osmani.

He said the injured Bulgarian fan was in stable condition and communicating with the Bulgarian Embassy, whereas North Macedonia's health authorities are providing professional care.

Photo: Screenshot