North Macedonia’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that it had declined an offer of assistance from neighbouring Bulgaria after talks between the two countries’ foreign ministers over fuel-related issues, saying the situation was stable.
The ministry confirmed reports from Sofia that Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski spoke by phone earlier in the day with his Bulgarian counterpart Georg Georgiev to discuss problems linked to mazut fuel supplies in North Macedonia.
“Mucunski expressed gratitude for the offered assistance, stressing that at this moment there is no need for additional support, as the situation is stable,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
It added that Mucunski told Georgiev that North Macedonia stood ready to assist Bulgaria should it face a need for similar support.
Bulgaria’s offer came a day after the North Macedonian government declared a seven-day nationwide crisis in electricity supply, citing disruptions in the energy sector.