Bulgaria fm says it's cynical to talk to North Macedonia

After Macedonian Bulgarian Hristiyan Pendikov was beaten up in North Macedonia, shock and admissions at various levels were made that it was a hate crime. The stories started to spread that Pendikov is a drug addict and dealer, that the Bulgarian clubs there are a focus on organized crime and drug traffickers. Foreign Minister Nikolay Milkov said in an interview with public service TV BNT that the narrative we cannot share is a narrative that we will take all steps.

On 4 February he urged the institutions on both sides to remain true and not to do any provocations so that people who wish to go and pay their respects can do so.

The Bulgarian ambassador will not be returning to Skopje until Sofia sees signs of a change, so we may halt bilateral projects. Minister Milkov said it is cynical to be talking about projects with North Macedonia while Hristiyan Pendikov is in the hospital.