Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian politicians strongly condemn act of vandalism in Bitola

Photo: Ivan Mihaylov Culture Center in Bitola

The arson in Bitola has provoked a sharp reaction from "There is Such a People", who described the incident as "a deliberate act of vandalism that distances North Macedonia from the EU". Atanas Mihnev, deputy chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in parliament and MP of “We Continue the Change", called on the competent authorities to identify the perpetrators as soon as possible and expressed hope that this would not affect bilateral relations with North Macedonia. According to BSP MP Ivan Chenchev, such acts were intended to create hate between the two countries - something no one needs. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva of GERB defined the arson as a criminal act of vandalism, which is not an isolated case but a clear example that hatred and discrimination were part of state policy in the Republic of North Macedonia. The co-chairman of "Democratic Bulgaria" Hristo Ivanov pointed out that this was a provocation and a test for the official institutions in North Macedonia and the political class. Vazrazhdane and VMRO also condemned the act of vandalism.

Earlier today, Vice President Iliana Yotova also called on the institutions in North Macedonia to do their job, while the first diplomat Teodora Genchovska left for Bitola to talk on the spot with representatives of the association, after which she will continue her working visit at the invitation of her counterpart Bujar Osmani.

The President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski condemned the arson attack against the building of the cultural center of the Bulgarian community in Bitola and called on the competent institutions to conduct a swift and thorough investigation.

The prosecutor's office in Bitola has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Hungary's Minister of Agriculture István Nagy

Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia call on EC to restore pre-war import quotas for Ukrainian agricultural products

The Ministers of Agriculture of Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia have called on the European Commission to restore pre-war import quotas for Ukrainian agricultural products, said Hungary's Minister of Agriculture, István Nagy, as cited by BTA...

published on 2/24/25 1:44 PM
Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev

Mayors from Balkan countries gather at B40 forum in Sofia

Sofia has taken over the presidency of the most prestigious local government forum in the Balkans – B40. The capital’s mayor Vasil Terziev accepted the baton from the municipality of Tirana, which marked the beginning of the fourth edition of B40...

published on 2/24/25 11:52 AM
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry: There can be no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine and the EU

Ukraine must be given reliable and stable security guarantees as an indispensable condition for sustainable peace , says an official position of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry on the occasion of 3 years of "Russia's unprovoked and unjustified..

published on 2/24/25 10:34 AM