SOFIA, June 18 (BV) – Bulgarian civic group Foundation Macedonia has cancelled a planned blockade of three border crossings with North Macedonia following consultations with Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry and the country’s embassy in Skopje, its chairman said on Thursday.
The protest, which was scheduled for Sunday, was expected to disrupt traffic at the Gyueshevo–Deve Bair, Stanke Lisichkovo–Delchevo and Zlatarevo–Novo Selo border crossings.
Foundation Macedonia chairman Viktor Stoyanov told Bulgaria’s BTA news agency that the decision was taken after discussions with state institutions, which concluded that a blockade would be counterproductive under the current circumstances.
Stoyanov said the initiative was intended to express public concerns regarding relations with North Macedonia and the status of Bulgarians in the country, but organisers ultimately decided that blocking border crossings could further increase tensions.
The foundation said it would announce alternative forms of civic action at a news conference in Sofia on Friday.
The cancellation follows an appeal by Bulgaria’s ambassador to North Macedonia, Zhelyazko Radukov, who urged Bulgarian citizens and organisations not to block border crossings or roads connecting the two countries.
“We support the right to peaceful civic protest as a fundamental right in every democratic society. At the same time, we strongly urge that no border crossings or roads between Bulgaria and North Macedonia be blocked,” Radukov said.
The ambassador said Bulgaria’s interest was to remain open to its southwestern neighbour through cultural exchanges, economic cooperation and people-to-people contacts.
“That is the best way to counter hatred,” he added.
Relations between Sofia and Skopje have come under renewed strain following the arson attack on two diplomatic vehicles outside the Bulgarian embassy in Skopje. North Macedonian authorities have since filed charges against a suspect in connection with the incident.