Bulgaria Calls on Macedonia Politicians to Abide by Rule of Law

Protesters clash with police during the protest against Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov`s decision on wiretapping amnesty, in Skopje, Macedonia, April 13, 2016. EPA/BGNES

Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry has issued a statement urging politicians in neighboring Macedonia to renew dialogue.

The Southeastern European nation has been shaken by tensions over a decision by its President Gjorge Ivanov to grant a blanket amnesty on dozens of politicians, including the leaders of the two biggest parties, halting proceedings into a wiretapping scandal. On Wednesday evening protesters stormed a presidential communications office to vent their anger over the amnesty.

The statement, authored by Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov, reads that politicians in the country should work for the "preservation of social order and internal stability."

"It is necessary that the country returns to the fulfillment of commitments from Przino in their entirety. It is only this way that Macedonia can preserve its political stability, rule of law and integrity of institutions without which no fair and democratic elections can be conducted."

The Przino agreement was sealed between political leaders, with the brokerage of the EU and the US, in June-July 2015, with leaders agreeing to snap elections in April of the next year and to put an end to a political crisis that had been shaking the country for months.

"I call on politicians in the Republic of Macedonia to get on with the agenda of reforms, to bolster their democratic institutions in the interest of all citizens and to bring the Republic of Macedonia back to the track of European integration."

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