Bulgaria will not betray its compatriots in the Republic of North Macedonia (RNM) and will continue to categorically protect their human rights. This was announced by the Bulgarian head of state Iliyana Yotova in an official address during the National Commemorative Assembly in the historical area of Petrova Niva. She emphasized that her words are not just a political declaration, but a real and contemporary reading of the Ilinden people's covenant for unity and freedom.
A firm commitment of the Bulgarian state
During the solemn celebration, coinciding with the 123rd anniversary of the Ilinden-Preobrazhensko Uprising, President Yotova addressed the Macedonian Bulgarians directly with the words:
"We will not betray you, we will not deny you and we will protect your rights – the rights of every single person!"
The head of state expressed deep concern about the fact that today in the neighboring country there continues to be a huge dose of division and growing hate speech against people with Bulgarian identity. Yotova was categorical that official Sofia is closely monitoring the situation and will not allow the trampling of European values and fundamental freedoms in the region.
The case of Iva Mihaylova goes to Strasbourg
As a specific example of unacceptable treatment of Bulgarian citizens, the president pointed to the case of 22-year-old Iva Mihaylova from the city of Kochani. The girl has been denied vital medical treatment in Bulgaria for 10 months, and the authorities in Skopje have taken away her Bulgarian passport.
Yotova revealed that on August 11, 2026, she sent an official letter to the President of the RSM Gordana Siljanovska with a proposal for assistance - sending a council of Bulgarian doctors or transporting the girl. To date, there has been no response from Skopje. For this reason, the Bulgarian president announced that in mid-September he would personally raise the issue with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Meanwhile, a large-scale civil protest is being organized in front of the RSM embassy in support of Iva in Sofia tomorrow, August 24.
National security and election games
In addition to the topic of North Macedonia, Iliana Yotova also commented on the domestic political situation in our country before the start of the election campaign on September 25. She criticized the calls of certain party leaders for an urgent convening of the National Security Advisory Council (NSAC).
According to her, the presidential institution is currently in constant and full coordination with the Council of Ministers, the services and international partners, which makes the convening of the council unnecessary. The President called on the political forces not to use the country's national security for propaganda and extracting dubious dividends, defining such actions as treason against the state.