Skopje, 7 December 2023 (MIA) – In a press release on Thursday, Former Deputy Prime Minister Kocho Angjushev thanked Malta for the “honor” of serving as its honorary consul, but considering the decision of the U.S. Department of State, which he disagrees with, he said he isn’t able to continue in his role, adding that Malta should not have an honorary consul with a stain on his name either.

“I thank friendly Malta for the honor of serving as an honorary consul of an EU member state in North Macedonia since 2021. Considering the decision of the respected State Department, with allegations that I disagree with, but value and accept as a decision, I believe that I am not able [to continue serving as consul], nor should Malta have an honorary consul with a stain on his name, however unjustified it is. As long as these allegations stand, I do not want and cannot represent any country or institution,” stressed Angjushev in the press release.

The former Deputy Prime Minister added that the decision designating him ineligible for entry in the United States is something that concerns him personally, and he should personally be held responsible for it, without any negative consequences on friendly states, people, business partners or institutions.

“Yesterday I personally informed the Foreign Minister of Malta over the situation, as well as about my commitment to make use of all legal means for a well-founded modification of this decision by the administration of the friendly US. The Minister informed me that Malta will closely follow the development of events and will take into account any positive outcome. I thanked Minister Borg for the chance and honor to serve the interests of an EU member state, and the interests of our two countries,” said Angjushev.

Malta’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs terminated former Deputy Prime Minister Kocho Angjushev’s position as honorary consul of Malta due to his “blacklisting” by the United States, the Times of Malta reported on Thursday.

A spokesperson of the Maltese MFA told the newspaper the ministry never received any negative information about Angjushev since his appointment in 2021.

“In light of such developments, the ministry is terminating his appointment with immediate effect and is following closely the latest developments,” he added.

Photo: MIA Archive