The mayor of Blagoevgrad Ilko Stoyanov issued a statement regarding the planned opening of a North Macedonia culture club in the town, in which he points out that the municipality has neither banned, nor has it allowed the holding of this private event, which the mayor is not going to attend.  

• Opening of North Macedonia culture club in Blagoevgrad causes a stir
  

Blagoevgrad has traditionally good relations with municipalities in North Macedonia and has been building upon this partnership in a spirit of integrity and understanding. People on either side of the border also maintain very good relations. Blagoevgrad has always maintained a spirit of hospitality, it is a hub of different cultures without any confrontation between them. All Macedonian citizens are welcome in Blagoevgrad as long as they do not turn our city into an arena for confrontation, hatred and political lobbying, Ilko Stoyanov says.