Skopje, 12 August 2021 (MIA) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the desecration of the memorial plaque of the Bulgarian tourists who died in the boat accident in Ohrid. Foreign Ministry said that the memorial plaque was cleaned adding that this is an isolated case, which is not in line with state policy, nor is it in the interest of citizens. “Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia strongly condemns the vandal act of desecration of the monument in Ohrid dedicated to the victims of the tragic accident of the boat "Ilinden”, in which 15 Bulgarian tourists died on 5 September 2009. The competent authorities have been informed and restored the monument to its original condition. A note was sent in a timely manner to the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Skopje informing about this act,” Foreign Ministry said in a press release. On this occasion, the press release added, we want to emphasize that this is an isolated case, which is not in line with state policy, nor is it in the interest of citizens. “The Republic of North Macedonia continues with policies and activities aimed at promoting good neighborly relations with all our neighbors, which is supported by the vast majority of citizens in the country,” the Foreign Ministry’s press release reads. Earlier, as reported by MIA’s Sofia correspondent, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry announced that it deeply regrets the repeated act of desecration of the memorial plaque of the 15 Bulgarian tourists. “We expect the authorities in the Republic of North Macedonia to take swift action to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice, as well as restore the memorial plaque to its original condition,” the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said in a press release. Unknown perpetrators sprayed paint graffiti on the memorial plaque in front of the monument in Ohrid dedicated to the victims of the tragic accident of the boat Ilinden, in which 15 Bulgarian tourists died on 5 September 2009. The monument was unveiled last year on the 11th anniversary of the Lake Ohrid boat accident. The 2009 Lake Ohrid boat accident took place on September 5, at 10:30 a.m. when the sightseeing boat “Ilinden”, carrying 57 passengers, capsized 250 meters away from the lake shore. Victims were from Pirdop, Zlatitsa, Mirkovo, Ribarica and particularly Anton.