Sofia, February 1 (BTA) - Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said here on Tuesday that the visit that Prime Minister Kiril Petkov paid to Skopje on January 18 "came too early". "I have discussed the matter candidly with him," Radev said, taking a reporter's question.

He argued that it was important to let Bulgarian diplomacy do its job and use its professional capacity "rather than rely on outside experts and non-government organizations, and give in to external pressure".

"Any rash steps by the Bulgarian Government or a hasty positive message is prone to a distorted interpretation as concessions on the part of Bulgaria," said the head of State.

He was also approached for comment on a meeting of North Macedonia's President Stevo Pendarovski in Skopje with representatives of the OMO Ilinden Organization that has been declared unconstitutional in Bulgaria for campaigning for recognition of a Macedonian minority in this country. Radev said that "unfortunately, the behaviour of the President of North Macedonia is not conducive to progress towards Skopje much-desired EU integration". "Any claims to reciprocity with regard to civil rights are counterproductive. Macedonian Bulgarians are fighting for equality and for guaranteeing it by incorporating them [into the Constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia] on a par with the other parts of peoples. They are fighting for their full integration in that country's public life. This is not the same as the separatist attitudes and claims for minority recognition espoused by the people who met with President Pendarovski," Radev said.

He said further that Bulgaria is "always open to dialogue". "Bulgaria was working for dialogue while the politicians of North Macedonia went round the European capitals but always made sure to skip Sofia. Now I am glad that dialogue has started."

Radev added that he is in touch with his North Macedonia counterpart "but we will be seeking the right time for a summit". "That, of course, also depends on what he does."

The President took reporters' questions before joining The World Ahead 2022 gala dinner, held in Sofia by The Economist.

PM Petkov: The Skopje Visit Came Terribly Late

Prime Minister Petkov rejected the criticism of the President. “The truth is that we have lost 30 years in our relations with the Republic of North Macedonia. Not only was not my visit early: it was terribly late,” Petkov said as he was approached by the press to comment Radev’s remarks.

“I could not wait another day to pay that visit,” said he.

Petkov visited Skopje on January 18, a day after the new Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski, stepped in office.

“I believe that if we don’t want the Balkans to remain the poorest and most corrupt place in the EU, we need to change the approach,” said also Petkov. According to him, that new approach should be based on good neighbourliness, economic development and cooperation.