The visit of North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova was on the occasion of a cultural event - the visit of the National Opera and Ballet of North Macedonia to Sofia, and did not have the character of a state, official or working visit. "In such cases, the protocol practice does not provide for the performance of anthems, placement of other state flags, as well as other protocol attributes," the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, BGNES reports. 

The statement comes after speculations of the government in Skopje that the protocol of the meeting between President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and her Bulgarian counterpart Rumen Radev was violated due to the absence of the North Macedonian flag. 

"Driven by the desire for good neighbourly relations and remaining consistent in the policy of supporting the open dialogue with the partners from the Republic of North Macedonia, Bulgaria sent invitations to the ministers accompanying President Siljanovska-Davkova for meetings with their counterparts. Unfortunately, the invitation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivan Kondov, to North Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timčo Mucunski, was rejected," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports.

• Skopje continues to discuss Siljanovska's unofficial visit to Sofia