Bulgaria's tensions - RMV, Bujar Osmani: We do not allow insult by Macedonians

Northern Macedonia Foreign Affairs Minister Bujar Osmani, together with his Bulgarian colleague, Nikolay Milkov, visited the Bulgarian-born citizen who was attacked in Ohrid on Sunday in hospital.

Hristian Pendikov, head of the Association X Boris the Third King, which has the rights of the Bulgarian community in northern Macedonia, was attacked Thursday by three people in the local community. According to 21-year-olds, aggressors violated him due to his activity for Bulgarians living in northern Macedonia.

Osman, expressing regret for the incident, has wished Pendikov a quick recovery. During his visit to Sofia, Osmani voiced confidence that the case would be dawning very soon.

I'm sorry about this incident. Such an act does not reflect the values of citizens of the Republic of Northern Macedonia and our multiethnic society. Northern Macedonia will take care of zero tolerance of violence, for whatever problem at least towards interethnic co-existence, which is something sacred that we have built in the last 30 years”, he stressed.

Minister Osmani said the Bulgarian community will have all rights, freedoms and privileges like any other community. But he added there should be no provocation from Bulgarian politicians.

“Every visit of politicians to the Republic of Northern Macedonia, with the aim of insulting the Macedonian people, will be seriously addressed and this will be the last visit to the Republic of Northern Macedonia. The vicious circle we're in should stop”, Osman said.

Violence against Pendikov increased tensions between Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia. Protests were warned in Sofia, while Bulgarian officials have demanded that the issue be addressed in European Union institutions as well. /Euronews albana