Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the ambassador of North Macedonia over Bulgarians not being allowed entry in the country

Bulgaria’s caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivan Kondov, on May 9, summoned the Ambassador of North Macedonia to Bulgaria, Agneza Popovska, to a meeting at the Foreign Ministry, the Foreign Ministry said on May 9.

During the conversation, the Minister expressed strong concern and sharp disagreement with the actions of the representatives of the border authorities of the Republic of North Macedonia at the "Novo Selo" checkpoint, which on May 6, 2023 did not allow Andrey Kovachev, Bulgarian Member of the European Parliament, holder of a diplomatic passport, Mr. Milen Vrabevski, Chairman of the Bulgarian Memory Foundation, and three other Bulgarian citizens to enter the country, which prevented their participation in paying tribute to the fallen Bulgarian servicemen in the military cemetery in Novo Selo.

Minister Kondov said that he considers such a measure as unjustified and incompatible with the European principles and norms that the Republic of North Macedonia has committed itself to respect.

On the Bulgarian side, it was pointed out that it is unacceptable to draw up banning lists for citizens of an EU member state and the Foreign Ministry expects to be informed about the criteria according to which Bulgarian citizens and European parliamentarians are included in such lists.

Minister Kondov stressed that similar actions by official institutions in North Macedonia, which are not happening for the first time, have a negative impact among the Bulgarian public and are undeniably detrimental to the building of good neighbuorly relations between the two countries.