Between Bulgaria and North Macedonia there is a mechanism that should contribute to reducing tensions and to identifying the occurrences of hatred, which is clearly stated in the Protocol signed last year by the ministries of foreign affairs of the two countries, but it is not being implemented, says a counselor for foreign policy of former Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, Vesela Cherneva.

- We cannot say that there are not enough instruments, says Cherneva in an interview for the show "Before Everyone" on the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), commenting on the latest development of events between Skopje and Sofia.

Cherneva emphasizes that in recent months there has been a visible increase in tensions in mutual relations, adding that this type of escalation happens every time it "smells like elections".

- On both sides of the border there are parties that use the tensions to raise their ratings, Cherneva concludes.

She believes that in such conditions ordinary people find themselves in environments exposed to pressure from "extremes on both sides" and become victims of such pressure.

- These are processes that take us away from the heart of European integration and put us in a marginal position, because we are dealing with bilateral quarrels. The quality of our European membership is weakening more and more, Cherneva adds.

According to her, this increase in tensions "makes the life of the Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia even more difficult".

- We saw how a Bulgarian MEP threatens the Macedonian president with assassination. This type of threats should not be part of bilateral relations. Maintaining a good tone and decency will help Bulgarians living in North Macedonia much more than this rather irresponsible approach, Cherneva believes.

She emphasizes that the withdrawal of the Bulgarian ambassador from Skopje is an "inappropriate gesture", because such steps are taken in "exceptional situations".

– This situation is starting to look intentional to me. It is very easy to cause a downward trajectory in bilateral relations. The opposite is difficult - to create an environment in which such things will not happen, says Cherneva, adding that "after so many years of enmity" things cannot be left to happen by themselves.