Bulgaria to Declare Tuesday Day of Mourning in Solidarity with North Macedonia, Says PM Zhelyazkov

Tatiana Marinova

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov (second left) visits the village of Damyanitsa to discuss increased control over road traffic, March 17, 2025 (BTA Photo/ Denitsa Kyuchukova)

Damyanitsa, Southwestern Bulgaria,

17.03.2025 12:32

(BTA)

The Government will declare Tuesday a day of mourning in solidarity with North Macedonia, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov told journalists Monday during his visit to the village of Damyanitsa, Sandanski Municipality in Southwestern Bulgaria.

Zhelyazkov visited Damyanitsa to present a report following a road safety inspection he ordered a month ago.

The Prime Minister expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and hopes for the successful recovery of the injured. Zhelyazkov added that there are currently 14 citizens of North Macedonia in Bulgaria, located in Sofia, Plovdiv (South Central Bulgaria), and Varna (on the Black Sea).

“We are prepared to accommodate more people, depending on the situation with our colleagues in North Macedonia. We maintain constant communication, and our Ambassador is present on-site. Our readiness is evident, and we have made arrangements for the victims' relatives to come to Bulgaria to support the injured,” Zhelyazkov said.

He emphasized that these human gestures emerge in difficult times, and he believes the two nations will put aside the daily distractions and come together on this day.

In response to a question about recent political changes in the National Assembly and the entry of the Velichie party, Zhelyazkov stated, "I believe the Government is stable, and there is no alternative to it."

The Prime Minister also stressed that the Government’s priorities, especially the goal of joining the Eurozone, will be reflected in the upcoming vote on the State Budget Act.

/MT/