Two diplomatic vehicles set on fire outside Bulgarian embassy in Skopje

Two diplomatic vehicles belonging to the Bulgarian embassy in Skopje were set on fire by an unidentified person around midday on June 15, Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry said. The cars were parked outside the main entrance to the mission.

The ministry condemned what it described as a "brazen act of aggression" that endangered embassy staff and called it "yet another attack against Bulgaria and Bulgarians". It said the prompt intervention of the Bulgarian consul had prevented the fire from spreading.

Under international law, diplomatic missions and their property enjoy special protection. The 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations requires host states to take all appropriate steps to protect them against intrusion or damage.

In a statement, the ministry called for a swift investigation and justice for those responsible. It said the attack reflected inflammatory political rhetoric and the failure of institutions to respond adequately to previous incidents, creating a sense of impunity.

The ministry also referred to the arson attack on the Bulgarian cultural club in Bitola, saying the perpetrator had been "heroised" and later involved in an election campaign instead of being adequately punished.

It added that Bulgaria would continue to use all available mechanisms to counter attempts to create what it called "an atmosphere of fear" for Bulgarians in North Macedonia.

• Prof. Spas Tashev: Minority rights should not be put to a referendum

Editor: Darina Grigorova

Edited and posted in English by E. Radkova