European Commissioner for Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi wrote on Twitter that the European Commission condemns the denial of entry of MEP Andrey Kovatchev to North Macedonia on the 6th of May. We call on the government of North Macedonia to urgently clarify the situation, Várhelyi added.

The European Parliament in Strasbourg has also been informed about the incident. MEP Michael Gahler told his colleagues that Kovatchev was not admitted, despite the fact he was traveling with a diplomatic passport, while Skopje specified that the refusal was related to an order not to allow people who could disturb public order in the country. I know Andrey Kovatchev as an honorable colleague who supports the admission of North Macedonia to the EU and the accession negotiations. He certainly does not pose a threat to this country, Gahler pointed out.

The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said the case was alarming and the institution would protect the right of every MEP to be able to fulfill their duties. Metsola said she would contact the authorities in Skopje to make sure they understood this.

• North Macedonia refusing entry to an MEP is confrontation with European institutions