site.btaForeign Ministry Condemns Attack against Bulgarian Vladimir Perev in Skopje

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje are in constant contact with Vladimir Perev, one of the most respected representatives of the Bulgarian community in the Republic of North Macedonia, the Ministry said in a position released on Monday evening. Earlier in the day, Perev said in a publication on the Tribuna website that he had been verbally and physically attacked in a shop in Skopje. 

Since the attack, the Bulgarian diplomatic mission has been providing him with the necessary assistance, the Foreign Ministry's position reads. Minister Georg Georgiev spoke with Perev personally on the phone and emphasized that Bulgaria will continue to be his support in this difficult moment.

"We strongly condemn yet another act of hate violence against a Bulgarian in the Republic of North Macedonia – a phenomenon that is unfortunately fuelled by the current socio-political atmosphere and anti-Bulgarian rhetoric. We carefully note the questions raised by Mr. Perev in his article in Tribuna and share his opinion that the case is not only a cause for reflection on the rights of Bulgarians in the country, but also an important test of the reaction of law enforcement agencies and their approach to hate crimes," the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said.

"We expect the competent authorities in the Republic of North Macedonia to take timely and effective action to investigate and bring justice. We would like to remind you that the country's EU path requires full and conscientious implementation of the 2022 European compromise, including respect for common values and guaranteeing the rights of Macedonian Bulgarians," the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said further.