site.btaBulgaria Places Great Importance on Macedonia's Stability and Territorial Integrity

Bulgaria Places Great Importance on Macedonia's Stability and Territorial Integrity

Sofia, May 11 (BTA) - In a telephone conversation on Monday,
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov told Macedonian Foreign
Minister Nikola Poposki that the political stability and
territorial integrity of Macedonia are particularly important
for Bulgaria, Mitov's ministry reported.

Poposki updated his counterpart on the current situation in
Macedonia.

Mitov noted that the lack of dialogue between the incumbents and
 the opposition in Macedonia has created political vacuum which
has caused instability. This situation has been used by elements
 and groups seeking to destabilize the country. Amid the
political crisis, the government in Skopje needs to take
responsible action in order to regain the confidence of the
public, Mitov said.

Bulgaria's top diplomat pointed to the urgent need to restore
the rule of law in Macedonia, which is a duty mainly for the
government to fulfill. The government should carry out a
transparent investigation into the events in accordance with
European standards, he said.

It is of paramount importance to protect public order and ethnic
 peace in Macedonia, Mitov went on to say. He assured Poposki
that Bulgaria can offer help both individually and through the
European Union.

Mitov expressed condolences for the death of Macedonian police
officers in an operation in Kumanovo.