Skopje, 29 January 2023 (MIA) – The Russian Federation is one of the factors that have an interest in keeping conflicts alive in the region, in order to more easily manifest influence. Even the latest escalation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia will be welcomed by many third factors, who will see a chance to maintain a permanent conflict here, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani said in an interview with Radio Free Europe (RFE).

Asked about his knowledge on whether the Russian intelligence service was “undermining” Macedonian-Bulgarian relations, Osmani said he had no such direct information.

“I have no such direct information. However, it’s well known for a while now that third factors have an interest in keeping conflicts alive in the region, sometimes also frozen, in order to be able to more easily manifest influence in our region, and we have seen such influence in different intensity, in different periods of relations, not only between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, but in general in the Western Balkans. So, surely even the latest escalation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia will be welcomed by many third factors, who will see a chance to maintain a permanent conflict here. Is that in our interest? I don’t think so,” said Osmani.  

As regards the withdrawal of the Bulgarian Ambassador from the country, he said he wouldn’t be able to comment on the reasons.

“I wouldn’t be able to comment on the reasons. However, if it is related to the incident that happened in Ohrid, I would consider it a disproportionate reaction because, first of all, it is a single incident, regarding which the state took all possible measures. The perpetrators were immediately identified, one is detained; the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister immediately expressed condemnation. I went to Sofia, we expressed what the state should express when it comes to our citizen and citizens, so I really don’t see what the connection would be between the case and the reaction,” Osmani pointed out.  

He believes the institutions have responded as they should be responding in such cases.

“Nor can such single incident be generalized and have conclusions drawn regarding how the state behaves towards communities. The Republic of Bulgaria is entering an election process. They have elections scheduled for April 2, and there has been no political government for two years, and this is a really aggravating factor, because elections usually complicate sensitive issues and don’t give space for diplomats to do their job properly. Unfortunately, we also have politics in that part, that’s why I said the season of provocateurs, thugs and political profiteers is open and now everyone is in action, but we must put a stop to that cycle of mutual deterioration of relations and restore the positive agenda,” Osmani said.  

Asked whether top state officials are coordinating in activities taken over a possible ban on entry of Bulgarian politicians and citizens insulting the Macedonian people, their feelings and identity, Osmani said such coordination is already underway.  

“I think such coordination is already underway. I was aiming more towards imposing the principle, the purpose of which is to stop this cycle of mutual bickering, provocations, etc.” said Osmani.

He noted that with the latest developments and the call to ban entry to the country of Bulgarian MEP Angel Dzhambazki on February 4, the day of Goce Delchev’s birth anniversary, due to possibility of provocations, our society is only giving him a chance to be reelected as MEP.

“The Bulgarian society rejected him in the latest elections, they didn’t allow his party to enter the Bulgarian Parliament at all. Unfortunately, I think that our society has just provided Dzhambazki with another term in the European Parliament, making him some kind of political star out of a total marginal person in the Bulgarian political society,” Osmani told RFE.