The Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT) summoned Tuesday the Bulgarian Ambassador Zhelyazko Radukov regarding events involving Iva Mihajlova, a dual citizen of Macedonia and Bulgaria who has fled to Sofia despite being indicted in a fatal traffic accident.
“The ambassador was informed that the manner in which Iva Mihajlova was received in Sofia, including announcements regarding high-level receptions, constitutes a provocation, undermines confidence-building efforts, and runs counter to commitments to develop good-neighborly relations. Furthermore, it was emphasized that such conduct represents direct interference in our country’s legal system and sends a seriously wrong message regarding respect for judicial proceedings and the principle of equality before the law. National affiliation or the possession of another citizenship must not serve as grounds for protection against accountability before competent institutions,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release Tuesday.
“It was pointed out during the meeting that we expect the Republic of Bulgaria, as a European Union member state, to act in accordance with fundamental European principles: respect for judicial proceedings, institutional cooperation, and the rule of law. The ambassador was informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade would take appropriate steps to inform international institutions, particularly those of the European Union and the Council of Europe. The meeting also reaffirmed our commitment to developing good-neighborly relations based on mutual respect, trust, and European principles, while noting that we expect the same level of commitment and responsibility from the Bulgarian side,” adds the MFAFT release.