Sofia, 19 September 2024 (MIA) — The office of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Bulgaria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs have issued statements in response to, according to them, "uncalled for provocations" and "insulting qualifications" toward Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people by officials from the Republic of North Macedonia.

"The manipulation of the facts and the hysterical reactions of the government of the Republic of North Macedonia do not inspire optimism that our southwestern neighbor wants relations with Bulgaria to go beyond provocations and staged scandals," Bulgarian President Radev's office said Wednesday.

The statement said that “the open and constructive dialogue, even at an informal meeting such as the one held between the presidents of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia on Sept. 13, has apparently greatly upset some circles in the government of North Macedonia."

According to the statement, Bulgaria will judge how "civilized" the new government of North Macedonia is by seeing "whether it continues taking part in hate speech campaigns against Bulgaria or countering them, by its ability to honor international agreements, and by its real commitment to the implementation of the Copenhagen EU membership criteria."

Joining the EU, the Bulgarian President's office said, required true willingness, systematic efforts and concrete results.

The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also commented on "the latest insulting qualifications towards Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people by officials from the Republic of North Macedonia." 

"We categorically refuse to engage in such a tone, which is un-European and incompatible with good manners.

"Our partners have been informed about the uncalled-for provocations, which are aimed at disrupting our dialogue.

"Once again, we remind you of the crucial importance of developing good neighborly relations for the European future of the Republic of North Macedonia," the Bulgarian MFA said.

The responses followed a public stir in North Macedonia caused by a photo of Presidents Rumen Radev and Gordana Siljanovska Davkova taken before a Bulgarian flag, with the Macedonian flag absent, during her visit to Bulgaria on Sept. 13. mr/