Sofia, 26 June 2024 (MIA) - Bulgarian President Rumen Radev claims that Skopje's policy is directed against the European principles.

"The new government in our neighbor has shown that the biggest fear of the political class in this country is to recognize the very existence of the word 'Bulgarian'... This policy is directly directed against the European principles and decisions made with a consensus by all member states, against international obligations, but most importantly against their own citizens, who have voiced their ambitions for European development of the country," Radev told reporters in Sofia on Wednesday.

He said he expects concrete actions by the Bulgarian government and also by the European institutions "to maintain the European principles and norms in the enlargement process."

"It means - to guarantee ireversibility and sustainability in affirming the principles of democracy and the main crietria in respecting human rights," he stated.

According to the Bulgarian head of state, unless the EU protects the European perspective of the Balkans based on clear principles, norms and values, then "sooner or later the Balkans will introduce balkanisation in Europe."

MIA file photo