It is time for the government of the Republic of North Macedonia to abandon the manipulative statements that Bulgaria was challenging the right of self-determination and identity of the citizens of North Macedonia or their right to call their language as they wish, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Bulgaria does not accept assertion of the identity of the citizens of North Macedonia to be carried out in confrontation with neighboring countries and to the detriment of their national interests. Based on its responsibility not to bring open issues in the EU and to protect its interests, values and authority, Bulgaria will continue to seek lasting solutions that will allow further development of bilateral relations and optimal conditions for membership negotiations between the Republic of North Macedonia and the EU," the statement reads.