After Macedonian Bulgarian Hristiyan Pendikov was beaten up in North Macedonia, there was shock and admissions at various levels that it was a hate crime. Then the stories started to circulate that Pendikov is a drug addict and dealer, that the Bulgarian clubs there are a focus of organized crime and drug trafficking. “That is a narrative we cannot share and we shall take all steps,” said Foreign Minister Nikolay Milkov in an interview with public service TV BNT.

He urged the institutions on both sides to remain claim during the celebrations of Gotse Delchev on 4 February and to refrain from provocations so that people wishing to go and pay their respects can do so.

• The Bulgarian ambassador in Skopje summoned for consultations in Sofia
  

The Bulgarian ambassador will not be returning to Skopje until Sofia sees signs of a change, we may halt bilateral projects. It is cynical to be discussing projects with North Macedonia while Hristiyan Pendikov is in hospital, Minister Milkov said.