Skopje, 10 July 2025 (MIA) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Republic of North Macedonia strongly condemns the insulting statements made against the Prime Minister and the institutions of the Republic of North Macedonia by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, Georg Georgiev, in a bTV interview on Thursday.

In this regard, the Ministry summoned on Thursday the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria in Skopje, Zhelyazko Radukov, who was presented with a letter of protest over the inappropriateness of such public discourse by a high-ranking official of the Bulgarian Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade said in a press release.  

"Such statements, which use inappropriate language and belittle representatives of a sovereign state, constitute a direct violation of the basic principles of international law and diplomatic communication. They do not contribute to promoting good neighbourly relations and are contrary to the spirit of constructive dialogue and mutual respect that should guide cooperation between the two countries," reads the press release. 

We expect official Sofia to issue an appropriate apology, in order to preserve dignified and principled bilateral communication, the press release adds.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, Georg Georgiev, said in a bTV interview that his country has become a factor in the EU and the region, which Macedonia must take into account. Speaking of Prime Minister Mickoski, he called him a "North Macedonian" Prime Minister. 

Photo: MIA archive