Mucunski criticizes Bulgaria: An EU member state should not shelter convicted individuals such as Iva Mihajllova

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timço Mucunski said it was inappropriate for a member state of the European Union to serve as a refuge for people convicted of criminal offenses or for individuals facing ongoing court proceedings.

Responding to journalists’ questions at a joint press conference with Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, Mucunski also spoke about the “Iva Mihajllova” case.

“It is truly inappropriate for a European Union member state to become a refuge for people convicted of criminal offenses, or for individuals against whom there is a degree of suspicion and proceedings are under way before the country’s courts,” he said.

Mucunski stressed that he would remain restrained in his comments on the matter, since North Macedonia does not intend to become involved in Bulgaria’s internal political clashes.

“I will be careful on this point because, as the prime minister also said a few days ago, we have no interest in making ourselves part of the spectacle surrounding this issue in Bulgaria, especially since it is also connected to the presidential elections taking place in that country,” Mucunski said.