Skopje, 12 May 2026 (MIA) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade summoned Bulgarian Ambassador Zhelyazko Radukov earlier Tuesday to issue a formal protest over the use of the term "North Macedonian."

An oral demarche was delivered to Radukov following remarks made Monday by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova Chamova, MIA has learned.

During the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on May 11, Chamova reportedly referred to Macedonian government officials as "North Macedonian partners." At the meeting with Ambassador Radukov, ministry representatives noted that the adjective derived from the country's name was incorrect.

The latest development followed a brief encounter between Chamova and Macedonian Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski late Monday. While Chamova suggested they had had "a bilateral meeting," Mucunski said the two had only a short exchange of words.

The top Macedonian diplomat also publicly criticized Chamova’s phrasing, calling the adjective "North Macedonian" inaccurate and inappropriate. mr/