MFA: With the deletion of the Bulgarian club in Bitola from the Central Registry, North Macedonia violates basic EU principles

Bulgaria is deeply disturbed by the successive actions of the Republic of North Macedonia to restrict the rights of association and free expression of the Bulgarian community.

Bulgarian club "Ivan Mihailov" in Bitola removed from the Central Registry of North Macedonia

"In closing down the Bulgarian club "Ivan Mihailov" in Bitola, Skopje did not present any real arguments. The decision is unprincipled, tendentious and one-sided placing of the names of the associations in a distorted historical and ideological context. Just because the beliefs of the Bulgarians in the RNM are not compatible with the historical doctrine there does not mean that they are not compatible with the legal order and democratic principles. The assessments for Ivan Mihailov are not based on the voluminous corpus of historical evidence and are aimed at preserving the monopoly of a deliberate and revisionist interpretation of our common history, especially as regards the allegations of Ivan Mihailov's anti-Semitic convictions," Deputy Foreign Minister Kostadin Kodzhbashev said.

The foreign ministry argued that the Republic of North Macedonia defends an interpretation of history through bans on the free expression of different opinions critical of the official narrative and thus violates fundamental EU principles such as those of free expression and free movement.

That is why our country will turn to the EU to protect the rights of Bulgarians in our south-western neighbour.

"Everything that is necessary to protect these organisations is being done," said Kodzhabashev.

He reminded that Bulgaria is still waiting for information and effective justice against the perpetrators of the numerous violations against Bulgarian associations, and the slow administration of justice contrasts strongly with the speed with which the decision to close the club in Bitola was taken.

"The slow administration of justice contrasts sharply with the speed with which the Bulgarian associations were deleted. We finally received information from Skopje about the arson last year of the centre in Bitola. Instead of prosecuting the perpetrator with the full rigour of the law in order to prevent similar violations in the future, the prosecution has made a deal with the accused in order to receive the least possible punishment. This will encourage other similar abuses.

As for the attack on the Bulgarian cultural centre in Skopje, it is surprising that, without the perpetrator having been identified, the prosecution is adamant in its motive - theft. This is the first assault against a foreign institution in Skopje, and the local authorities, instead of finding the perpetrators, are wasting energy and time to show that such a problem does not exist," said Kodzhabashev.