site.btaPresident Iotova Describes Monday's Arson Attack on Bulgarian Embassy Vehicles in Skopje as "Attack on Bulgaria"

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, President Iliana Iotova described Monday's arson attack on two diplomatic vehicles belonging to the Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje as "an attack on Bulgaria." 

She commented on this week's debate in the European Parliament on the European Commission's annual progress reports on EU candidate countries, including North Macedonia. "The next two days will be crucial because, alongside the debate, there will also be a vote on the resolution," Iotova said, referring to the resolution concerning North Macedonia's progress towards EU accession.

The Bulgarian head of State said that she had received alerts from MEPs about a possible last-minute attempt in the debating chamber to remove a provision related to the work of the joint intergovernmental commission, which, she added, has been operating for several years under Article 12 of the Treaty of Friendship, Goodneighborly Relations and Cooperation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. 

"I strongly hope that reason will prevail, because this issue is part of the protocol and the negotiation framework and is required by European legislation, Iotova added.