The upcoming elections in Bulgaria are an opportunity for certain parties to try to raise their rating and popularity, which was lost in the past years, using the tensions between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, says the former Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Milen Keremedchiev.

- The parties in Bulgaria that declare themselves as patriotic and will organize the Bulgarians have a certain goal, which is to further worsen the relations between Bulgaria and Macedonia, Keremedchiev told BNR.

Commenting on the visit of the Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Demerdzhiev and the president of DANS Plamen Tonchev to Skopje in connection with the commemoration of the 151st anniversary of the birth of Gotse Delchev on February 4, Keremedchiev talks about the preparation of provocations.

– Both sides do it. VMRO-DPMNE in Macedonia behaves in the same way in order to raise its rating. Serious tensions and provocations are expected from both sides. Demerdzhiev and Tonchev are there to isolate the elements that would lead to provocations, but I am afraid that they will not be avoided, he says.

According to Keremdchiev, VMRO-DPMNE is a pro-Russian party, has close contacts with Russia, but also with Serbia, and behind the provocations is the desire for permanent deterioration of bilateral relations.

He also adds that the conversation about the names of the clubs in North Macedonia cannot be postponed, but also that Bulgaria behaved "hardest" diplomatically.

- Withdrawal of the ambassador for consultation is the penultimate measure. Recall is the last, but I hope we will not get to it," says Keremedchiev.

According to him, Macedonia's problem is whether it fulfills the criteria, and "the judge of this duel is the European Commission".