Bulgaria Foreign Min: No Ethnic Tension in Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s foreign minister Ivaylo Kalfin refuted on Thursday the claims that ethnic tension was building up in the country, in the face of mounting evidence to the contrary.

Talking to reporters in the Black Sea town of Kavarna, Kalfin said last week’s Roma revolt in Sofia (more here…) and this week’s mass brawl between Roma and Bulgarians in Samokov (more here…) were not indicative of the overall situation in the country.

"I don’t think those who try to use ethnic division for politics are doing the country a service," Kalfin said.

Bulgaria’s top diplomat was in Kavarna for the opening of a newly-repaired street in the town’s Roma neighbourhood, which cost the local city hall BGN 300 000.