site.btaBulgarian Foreign Minister Calls on Political Leaders in Macedonia to Seek Common Solutions to Political Crisis

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Calls on Political Leaders in Macedonia to Seek Common Solutions to Political Crisis

Sofia, April 14 (BTA) - "Democracy and the legal state require from politicians to live up to their responsibilities. This implies, among other things, refraining from actions that could undermine the legal order in the State," reads a statement by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov in connection with the political situation in Macedonia, released by his Ministry's Press Centre on Thursday.

Mitov calls on all political leaders in Macedonia to resume immediately the political dialogue and to seek common solutions to the present political crisis, starting from preserving public order and internal stability. He appeals for restraint from any form of violence whatsoever.

The Foreign Minister points to the need for the country to return to the implementation of the Przino Agreement in its entirety. "Only thus Macedonia could preserve its political stability, legal order and integrity of institutions without which fair and democratic elections cannot possibly take place," Mitov emphasizes.

He calls on politicians in Macedonia to tackle the reform agenda, strengthen democratic institutions in the interest of all citizens, and steer Macedonia back to the path of European integration.

By the EU-brokered July 15, 2015 Przino Agreement, the four main political parties in Macedonia reached a compromise ending a crisis in which the government and opposition exchanging allegations of wrongdoing. The deal includes the SDSM's return to Parliament, a caretaker government preparing parliamentary elections to be held on April 24, 2016, and the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate issues concerning the alleged government wiretapping of over 20,000 people.

The Bulgarian Foreign Minister's statement comes after opposition supporters rioted in Skopje on Wednesday in response to a blanket pardon issued by Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov for 56 government and opposition figures in the wiretapping scandal.