site.btaForeign Minister Mucunski: Bulgaria Should Apologize for Protocol Mistake

The idea for a meeting of the presidents of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia during Gordana Siljanovska's visit to Sofia for the performance of the National Opera and Ballet of North Macedonia came from the Bulgarian side, Foreign Affairs Minister Timco Mucunski said in an interview with MRT1. In his words, Siljanovska's idea to focus on cultural diplomacy is a good one because "we should always do our best for good neighbourly relations", and whether or not a shadow has been deliberately cast over this visit will soon become clear."

A photo, in which the Bulgarian flag and the EU flag are placed behind President Rumen Radev of Bulgaria and President Gordana Siljanovska of North Macedonia, while the state flag of North Macedonia is absent, continues to be a leading topic in the country.

"We were aware of what happened. We clearly saw that there was a discrepancy with the agreed protocol, but we decided, because of the specifics of the moment, to react the way we did," Timco Mucunski said. According to him they did not react immediately because "a verbal reaction is not a formal reaction and diplomatic protocol regulates these matters very strictly."

"If the other side (Bulgaria) act in good faith, as we do, then it is natural to apologize after such a protocol mistake. (...) I would not like to be disappointed by our neighbour and have no answer", said Mucunski, who added that the state flag of North Macedonia was present at a working lunch in Sofia, which he attended. The lunch was held in a friendly atmosphere and several topics were discussed, including Corridor VIII, as well as the opening of the Klepalo border crossing between Strumyani and Berovo.