Ministry: Timcho Mucunski sent reaction to EU and member states over Iva Mihajlova reception in Sofia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade announced that Minister Timcho Mucunski has sent a formal reaction to the European Union and its member states regarding the reception of Iva Mihajlova in Sofia.

Officials said the Bulgarian ambassador in Skopje, Zhelyazko Radukov, was summoned to the ministry and informed that Sofia's actions undermine trust-building and good-neighbour relations. The ministry added that in the coming period it will send notifications to all relevant European institutions and international organisations.

Ministry's concerns and legal principle

The ministry explicitly said that possession of another citizenship cannot be used as protection from accountability and urged Bulgaria, as an EU member state, to respect judicial processes and the rule of law in North Macedonia. It described the public welcome of Mihajlova in Sofia and announcements of a high-level reception as a provocation and as direct interference with the country's legal system.

Bulgarian MEP Andrey Kovachev said he had informed the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, about the situation and argued that Skopje has no grounds to complain about Bulgaria. Kovachev stated: "I informed the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, about the situation during the European People's Party meeting in Italy, and I believe Skopje has nothing to complain about regarding Bulgaria. What exactly problematic has Bulgaria done? Absolutely nothing. Of course, we raised the humanitarian problem with Iva Mihajlova at all levels."

Bulgarian Vice President Iliana Yotova has called for clarification of the circumstances under which Mihajlova left North Macedonia and said that Bulgarian authorities should examine the case. Yotova also announced she would meet Mihajlova personally if, as she said, "her health allows".

Authorities in Skopje previously reported that the prosecutor's office had requested pre-trial detention for Mihajlova and that it remained unclear how she crossed the border. The ministry's diplomatic démarche is part of Skopje's broader response to the episode.

Photo: press material from the event