Dear Citizens, 

I too would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. I am not certain if one could compare tragedies according to their scope or size, but I am more than certain that today we are experiencing a tragic day of profound sorrow. I do believe that the today we are living through one of the saddest days in the more recent history of our country.
During my visit to Sofia, this morning, my colleague, Minister Stoev and I established direct lines of cooperation at several levels, in dealing with the ramifications of today’s tragedy. In pursuance with agreed lines of action, from Sofia already I have issued instructions to activate again the Task Force, which previously worked during the crisis in extracting our citizens from Afghanistan. In addition to representatives of my Office, this task Force encompasses also experienced diplomats and consular experts working in different Directorates at our MFA, covering thus all requirements for coordinating institutions and the diplomatic activities of the Ministry.

In a matter of hours, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria we have managed to agree upon amending the COVID-19 Protocols for entry in Bulgaria, enabling thus entry and travel to Sofia to all close relatives of the victims and of the injured in the tragic traffic accident, without being obliged to submit any COVID-19 related documents. 

I have also issued instructions to develop a specific protocol for use of the MFA’s SOS telephone line in order to be able to provide information and answers to numerous citizens inquiring about their close ones. According to available information, I can tell you that relatives of all victims have been communicated, which this morning has been the priority activity of the MFA.
I have issued instructions to urgently dispatch two experienced diplomats to strengthen the staff at our Embassy in Sofia, and to help facilitate activities for coordination of institutions in Skopje and in Sofia. They will also function as contact-points for coordinating activities related to the families of the victims and of the injured in the coming period. The diplomats are already in Sofia and tonight they will be starting their activities.

Tomorrow, in following with the dynamic of activities agreed upon with our colleagues in Sofia, we will continue with coordination activities. Representatives of the justice systems of the two countries are already in contact with a view to completing the DNA analysis identification process. The MFAs of the two countries have opened lines for immediate exchange of information for purposes of coordination and undertaking activities in the identification process, which include the relatives of the victims. 
 
Once the identification procedure will have been completed, there will be activities to organize the transport the remains of the victims, which again will be coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, which on its part has assumed the task of coordination the institutions in Sofia.

No matter what we do today, we cannot make up for the loss nor can we alleviate the sorrow. Forty-five of our fellow citizens- children, women, men, wives, husbands, entire families, brothers, and sisters - are no longer with us. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will do everything in its power to ensure dignified procedures for the relatives of the victims at these moments of great ordeal for them, as well as to provide them with correct and precise information, then identification and dignified transfer of the remains of the victims to Skopje. 

May they rest in peace.

Thank you.