FM Osmani calls opening of Bulgarian club in Ohrid a provocation
Skopje, 8 October 2022 (MIA) - Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani said Saturday the opening of the Bulgarian cultural club "Tsar Boris III" in Ohrid is a provocation to the detriment of the Bulgarian community in the country.
The right to association is indisputable, however the name (of the club) is not in line with the second item of the convention for the protection of minorities, he said.
"The name does not contribute to friendship, on the contrary, it is the basis for intolerance and discord. Thus I think it is provocation to the detriment of the interests of the Bulgarian community in the country at a time when the community is getting chances to form associations, to express its uniqueness through the Protocols and the obligations stemming from it as well as through a debate on amending the Constitution," Osmani told reporters at a weekly press briefing.
Asked to comment on remarks by his Bulgarian counterpart Nikolay Milkov regarding the opening of the Ohrid club, the Minister said it is impermissible interfering into North Macedonia's internal affairs, adding he plans to let him know about his opinion at an upcoming meeting on October 21 in Berlin.
As regards ways to prevent the registration of associations bearing provocative names, Osmani said the Foreign Ministry has no authorization on the matter whatsoever. He mentioned that the Justice Ministry, which is the institution with authorization on the matter, has already formed an advisory body tasked with analyzing the names of clubs and associations being registered in the country.
"I believe we should have serious talks with the citizens of Bulgarian origin living in North Macedonia and ask them what is the purpose of choosing these names. I'll repeat, it is to the detriment of the Bulgarian community," Minister Osmani concluded.