The case of Iva Mihailova from Kočani: a dispute over medical treatment, a travel ban, and tension in Bulgarian-Macedonian relations

23-year-old Bulgarian citizen Iva Mihailova from Kočani, North Macedonia, requires medical treatment but is currently not being allowed to enter Bulgaria to receive it. The case was brought to light by "Vazrazhdane" member of parliament Angel Georgiev.

The traffic accident and the imposed ban

According to Iva Mihailova, the injury to one of her legs is the result of a car accident—a head-on collision with a vehicle that entered her lane.

In connection with the incident, she has not been charged as a participant in the traffic accident, but a pre-trial investigation is underway.

As part of the investigation procedures, she has been banned from leaving Kočani and the country, which practically blocks her ability to travel to Bulgaria for treatment.

According to the provided information, the lack of timely and adequate treatment could severely affect the young woman's health and lead to permanent disability.

The political reaction: "A matter of good neighborliness"

Angel Georgiev from "Vazrazhdane" commented that as two neighboring countries, "in the spirit of good neighborly relations," it is necessary for Iva Mihailova to be allowed to receive treatment in Bulgaria.

"As two neighboring countries and in the spirit of good neighborly relations, in my opinion, it is mandatory that Iva Mihailova be allowed to be treated in Bulgaria, and if this does not happen, the Macedonian authorities will show that this is yet another case of a Bulgarian who is treated differently, which in the context of the negotiation framework for North Macedonia's accession to the European Union is a bad sign," Georgiev points out.

He states that he will request a meeting with the ambassador of North Macedonia to Bulgaria regarding the case.

Furthermore, he intends to inform MEP Stanislav Stoyanov from the "Vazrazhdane" delegation, who is a shadow rapporteur on the Macedonian issue in the European Parliament.

Unsuccessful attempts at assistance so far

According to information released by "Vazrazhdane," Iva Mihailova sought assistance from Bulgarian diplomatic authorities about seven months ago.

She established contact with representatives of the Bulgarian embassy in North Macedonia, but so far there has been no real progress on the case and no solution has been reached that would allow her to travel for treatment.

"This practice of letting things drag on slowly but surely while nothing happens regarding improving the way Bulgarians are treated in North Macedonia must be stopped," commented Georgiev.

Broader context: a test for the new government in Skopje

According to the "Vazrazhdane" representative, the case of Iva Mihailova is indicative of the real attitude towards Bulgarians in North Macedonia and will be a test for the new government in Skopje.

"If the new government does not react adequately and in favor of the Bulgarian citizen in this case, then for me it is clear that the new government is the same as the old one," declares Angel Georgiev.

The case raises questions in several directions—about the right to access medical treatment, the balance between judicial measures and humanitarian considerations, as well as to what extent the principles of good neighborliness, set out in the framework for the European integration of North Macedonia, are practically applied.

It remains to be seen whether bilateral diplomatic channels and the institutions in Skopje will find a solution that allows the young woman to receive the necessary treatment without compromising the investigation into the traffic accident.