North Macedonia summons Bulgarian diplomat over provocative statements

The North Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade summoned a representative from the Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje to express formal dissatisfaction regarding recent statements by Bulgarian officials. The diplomatic protest follows comments made by Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerzhiev and Bulgarian Ambassador Zheljazko Radukov concerning the case of Iva Mihailova.

North Macedonian authorities described Demerzhiev’s remarks as ‘offensive and provocative’ and characterized Radukov’s television interview as a direct interference in the country’s internal affairs. The Ministry warned that such behavior could necessitate an institutional response in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which prohibits interference in the domestic affairs of a host state.

The tension stems from the case of Iva Mihailova, a 23-year-old from Kočani for whom North Macedonian authorities have issued an international arrest warrant. Minister Demerzhiev stated that Bulgaria would not extradite Mihailova to what he referred to as ‘Serbian authorities,’ a comment that further strained the bilateral relationship.