site.btaCC-DB's Lena Borislavova: Language Used by North Macedonia's Deputy PM Is Inadmissible

Commenting on Wednesday's claims by North Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski, Lena Borislavova MP of Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) said that such language is inadmissible. "We are of the opinion that that agreement concluded [between Sofia and Skopje] based on the French proposal is good, despite the criticism we received at the time, which was entirely politically based. Bulgaria's interests are currently completely protected," she said here on Thursday.

The French proposal forms the basis of North Macedonia's negotiating framework with the EU and includes a condition to amend the Constitution to include Bulgarians.

Borislavova also said that the counterparts from the Republic of North Macedonia are diverting their people from the European path for internal political reasons.

In a televised interview on Wednesday, Nikoloski joined an outcry in his country against the absence of the national flag of North Macedonia in a photo of Presidents Rumen Radev and Gordana Siljanovska during Siljanovska's visit to Bulgaria on September 13. Nikoloski said the hosts were disrespectful to President Siljanovska, calling them "neither civilized nor decent, nor respectful." " He also said that his country is being exploited by Bulgarian political parties and President Radev for political gain. His claims caused sharp reactions in Bulgaria.