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

EC and EP condemn North Macedonia’s refusal of entry to Bulgarian MEP

Photo: library

European Commissioner for Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi wrote on Twitter that the European Commission condemns the denial of entry of MEP Andrey Kovatchev to North Macedonia on the 6th of May. We call on the government of North Macedonia to urgently clarify the situation, Várhelyi added.

The European Parliament in Strasbourg has also been informed about the incident. MEP Michael Gahler told his colleagues that Kovatchev was not admitted, despite the fact he was traveling with a diplomatic passport, while Skopje specified that the refusal was related to an order not to allow people who could disturb public order in the country. I know Andrey Kovatchev as an honorable colleague who supports the admission of North Macedonia to the EU and the accession negotiations. He certainly does not pose a threat to this country, Gahler pointed out.

The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said the case was alarming and the institution would protect the right of every MEP to be able to fulfill their duties. Metsola said she would contact the authorities in Skopje to make sure they understood this.

Translation: Al. Markov





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

Light rainfall is possible in southern Bulgaria, warming continues

On Thursday, minimum temperatures will range between 6 and 11°C across the country. Along the Black Sea coast, they will reach 13 to 16°C , while in Sofia they will drop to around 7°C. In the morning, visibility will be reduced in some low-lying areas..

published on 10/22/25 7:05 PM
Valérie Hayer

Renew Europe calls on the European Commission to urgently send a mission to Bulgaria

The President of the “Renew Europe” group in the European Parliament, Valérie Hayer, called on the European Commission to urgently send a mission to Bulgaria to assess the rule of law situation and to freeze all payments under the Recovery and..

published on 10/22/25 6:12 PM

Young doctors to receive long-awaited pay rise

“At coalition level, we have decided to meet the demands of young doctors regarding salary levels,” said Kostadin Angelov, chair of the parliamentary health committee, at a meeting of the panel, as reported by BNR's Mila Mladenova. Young doctors..

published on 10/22/25 4:55 PM