site.btaBulgarian Delegation Takes Part in Opening of Ivan Mihailov Cultural Centre New Club in Bitola

A Bulgarian delegation comprising Vice President Iliana Iotova, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska and members of various parties represented in Parliament attended Saturday’s opening of a new club of the Ivan Mihailov Cultural Centre in Bitola, Republic of North Macedonia. The delegation expressed support for the Bulgarian community in its southwestern neighbor, assuring that institutions would do everything possible to see that the rights of people with Bulgarian self-awareness are respected.

“This is the best possible sign that could confirm that all political forces desire stability in the region,” Bulgarian Socialist Party MP Dragomir Stoynev noted. “Human rights are the essence of European values. Anyone wanting to accede to the EU should abide by these rights. It is important to use that the Bulgarian minority does not feel discriminated. If we forget hate speech we shall see how nice and beneficial it is to be friends and live together,” he commented.

Opposition GERB-UDF MP and former foreign minister Ekaterina Zaharieva also saw the visit as a good sign. Zaharieva  expressed hope that it had shown the people who were there  that the main task of all politicians and governments would be to protect their rights.

The event was also attended by former defence minister and VMRO Honorary Chairman Krassimir Karakachanov, as well as 44th national Assembly Chair Tsveta Karayancheva.

The Ivan Mihailov Cultural Centre – Bitola was registered in the middle of 2019. It mainly focuses on work with the Bulgarian community in the Republic of North Macedonia, observances of memorable fates in Bulgarian history, as well as maintenance of monuments and places associated with Bulgarian historical heritage. Its current Chairman Ljupco Georgievski.