Skopje, 24 June 2025 (MIA) - I regret the fact that the actions of the incumbent Bulgarian government and the Bulgarian Members of the European Parliament support the Russian narrative for the region's destabilization. Stability of the Western Balkans is best secured through the region's European integration, says Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski.

FM Mucunski told Kanal 5 that Bulgaria's actions over the past weeks and months are part of the narrative which aim is to destabilize the Balkans.

"How can we overcome the challenges and work on stabilization of the Western Balkans? Through dialogue, of course," says Mucunski.

He expresses regret that a meeting with Bulgarian officials will, most probably, not take place on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in The Hague.

"The Government is ready for meetings at any level - President with President, Prime Minister with Prime Ministers, Minister with Minister. We will continue to act in this way," says Mucunski.

The FM also refers to the expectations from the NATO Summit, which will focus on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, security developments in the Middle East and other global security challenges.

"In order to have serious investments in deterrence capabilities, armies and their capacities, both infrastructure and cyber, must be modernized. The military industry must also see investments, namely our own Macedonian production capacities. We will support these decisions at the summit and we expect consensus," notes Mucunski.

MIA file photo