Skopje, 13 October 2022 (MIA) – Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski has reiterated his position regarding the relations between North Macedonia and Bulgaria, as well as the opening of a new Bulgarian club with a provocative name, saying that good-neighborly relations cannot be founded on provocations. Minister Spasovski told MTV that he is one of those pushing for the country to find a mechanism which would ban the registration of any clubs that hurt the national feelings of the Macedonian people, the Macedonian citizens and North Macedonia. “I condemn all of these clubs which are being established precisely during this period. Each of us can ask ourselves, why weren’t there such clubs in the past, why are they suddenly appearing now that North Macedonia’s EU integration has begun?! I am one of those insisting that the state should find mechanisms which would ban the registration of any clubs that hurt the national feelings of the Macedonian people, the Macedonian citizens and North Macedonia. And these mechanisms must be found! And this is why, we as a government, have established a body to review all the initiatives in this area, however, I believe we should also think about specific legal provisions which would enable the creation of safeguards,” said Spasovski. He underscored it is a historical fact that Bulgaria was a part of the Axis and it is illogical for those who seek ways to separate themselves from that past, to promote fascists here through the names of the cultural clubs. “North Macedonia was born as a result of the anti-fascist struggle and movement. Many young women and men won their freedom once they sided with the anti-fascists. We have to respect this. You cannot move forward if you do not respect your own past or if you do not respect that which has made you a county,” said Spasovski. He added that he is absolutely against the opening of such clubs, against all provocations regardless of their source, because now is the time to build good relations. ad/ik/