Bulgarian PM Slams 'Brotherly' Macedonia over Ambassador Scandal

Friday's incident in which Bulgarian ambassador to Macedonia Ivan Petkov was not allowed to bring flowers to the tomb of revolutionary Gotse Delchev is deeply counterproductive for Macedonia, stated Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov Saturday.

Friday Petkov and a Bulgarian delegation were not admitted to Delchev's grave and were allegedly assaulted by a group of nationalist Macedonian "hooligans," with no one being hurt.

Bulgaria's President Rosen Plevneliev and Foreign Affairs Minister Nikolay Mladenov have reacted sharply, denouncing the incident as disgraceful and harming for bilateral relations.

Pleveneliev even hinted that Bulgaria might consider blocking Macedonia's bid for EU membership, should Macedonian authorities fail to take up measures to improve sentiments regarding Bulgaria.

"Bulgaria will work for the EU accession of Macedonia but only if Macedonia acts in accordance with this support," said the Bulgarian President.

"Macedonia probably does not realize how important it is to join the EU and that it needs the support of its EU-member neighbors," said PM Borisov Saturday.

However, he stated that although Bulgaria will is taking serious note of the incident, it has no plans to impede Macedonia's integration to the EU.

"We are neighbors and brotherly peoples. Macedonia must join the EU. If we obstruct that, that would be a wrong towards history," said Borisov.

"What happened is not helpful for them, neither does them honor. But we will not retaliate impulsively," added he.

PM Borisov also revealed that Macedonian ambassador to Sofia Blagoj Handziski has been summoned to Bulgaria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be presented with the Bulgarian government's official position of protest against the incident.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!