MEP Andrey Kovatchev has informed the President of the European Parliament, the commissioner for enlargement and the Bulgarian authorities that he was not allowed to enter the Republic of North Macedonia on 6 May.

Kovatchev, the chairman of the foundation Bulgarian Memory Milen Vrabevski, and three other Bulgarians wanted to reach Novo Selo, Strumitsa to attend a memorial service at the Bulgarian military cemetery but were not allowed to enter North Macedonia.

• Bulgarian MEP denied entry to the Republic of North Macedonia

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry issued a highly critical position. “The Macedonian police will not allow now, or in the future, the entry into the country of people who can potentially disturb public order and peace, and who insult and belittle the citizens and the state,” North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Toni Angelovski said in explanation of why the Bulgarian citizens have been denied entry.