PM condemns opening of Bulgarian culture club ‘Tsar Boris III’ in Ohrid
Skopje, 7 October 2022 (MIA) – Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski has condemned the opening of Bulgarian culture club “Tsar Boris III” in Ohrid.
“I condemn the opening of this culture center carrying that name, despite the fact that our nationals have opened it. This is a provocation that is not beneficial for anyone. I believe that a culture center should be named after a figure that brings countries closer not someone who is negatively perceived by the citizens in this country, not only Macedonians but also Jews. Organizers of this association should show respect,” PM Kovachevski told TV21.
He says these are small groups that have some personal interests in setting up clubs with such names.
The PM said North Macedonia’s legislation is too liberal when it comes to establishing NGOs and associations and their names, and this goes for trading associations and companies as well. Therefore, the Government has set up an ad hoc body within the Ministry of Justice over the naming of associations.
“A new law on civic associations that is set to prevent this is in the pipeline. I call on all political parties to take part in the finalization of this piece of legislation because these groups and individuals are abusing people’s feelings for the second or third time already. We must put an end to this,” says Kovachevski.