site.btaGERB-UDF Outraged by "Yet Another Act of Gross Vandalism" against Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje

GERB-UDF MP Georg Georgiev said that the parliamentary group was outraged by "yet another act of gross vandalism against property belonging to the Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje" after an arson attack targeted diplomatic vehicles belonging to the Bulgarian diplomatic mission in North Macedonia's capital. Quoted on GERB's Facebook page, he added: "This is a violation of the Vienna Convention and a manifestation of complete disregard for international law. The Foreign Ministry should notify the European institutions - the European Commission and the European Parliament."

According to Georgiev, an attack of such magnitude against a diplomatic mission - the deliberate arson of a vehicle - is not an ordinary act of vandalism. "Unfortunately, in recent years we have witnessed an escalation of such incidents, which clearly corresponds to the frequently encountered and inadequately addressed hate speech against Bulgaria, Bulgarians and citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia with Bulgarian self-identification," he said. "We have repeatedly called on our neighbours to follow the values on which our common European home is built - freedom and tolerance. This is a prerequisite not only for North Macedonia's successful integration into the European Union but also a sign of democratic maturity and good neighbourly relations," he added.

"We call on the competent authorities in our western neighbour to take swift and effective action to identify those responsible for the crime and punish them to the full extent of the law. The speed with which this is done will be a litmus test of the determination of the government of North Macedonia to protect all citizens and the rule of law as a whole," added the former foreign minister (2025-2026).

In a statement, Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the arson attack on diplomatic vehicles belonging to the Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje. North Macedonia's Government also condemned the attack and called for a swift investigation.