In a press release, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the recent statements by the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski regarding the Bulgarian minority in the country and its inclusion in the Constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia. ''These statements not only distort reality, but also undermine efforts to build good neighbourly relations and European integration. The issue of the rights of Bulgarians in North Macedonia is not a bilateral dispute between our two countries, but a matter that concerns the fundamental European values and standards'', the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized in its statement. 

The Foreign Ministry also reminded that a large number of citizens of North Macedonia have acquired Bulgarian citizenship, recognizing their Bulgarian origin and identity. "Progress in the process of European integration of the Republic of North Macedonia is only possible through the full and comprehensive implementation of the European Consensus agreed upon and adopted by the Council of the EU in 2022, a key part of which are the amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia. In this context, North Macedonia, as a candidate country for EU membership, bears the responsibility to align its legislation and practices with these principles'', the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

''We call on the authorities in the Republic of North Macedonia to refrain from rhetoric that incites division and hatred, and instead to focus on fulfilling the criteria for EU membership, including the protection of the rights of all ethnic communities in the country'', the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added.

Yesterday, from the parliament's rostrum in Skopje, Hristijan Mickoski stated that the real question is why around 700-800 Bulgarians in North Macedonia, who declare that their mother tongue is Bulgarian, should be included in the constitution and why there is no such requirement for Albania.