Mickoski: We will not abandon talks, will step up calls for dialogue with Bulgaria

North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said tensions with Bulgaria after Iva Mihailova fled to the country will not change his government's stance on European Union integration. He said Skopje would step up calls for meetings and dialogue with Bulgaria to find solutions to the problems.

Mickoski said the investigation is ongoing and that some evidence obtained once it is complete will be shared with NATO partners. He argued that this evidence would reveal the positions of some NATO member states. He also said Bulgarian authorities' refusal to return Mihailova disproves claims that her escape was planned in advance.

Speaking after the opening of the new "Krste Petkov Misirkov" school in Čento, Mickoski said he expects Mihailova and her father, who has a final conviction, to be returned to the country. He said bringing Mihailova to justice is his priority and that it will happen sooner or later.