North Macedonia has agreed to let Bulgarian medical specialists examine Iva Mihaylova, who needs treatment after a car accident, Progressive Bulgaria MP Ivan Golomeev said during a parliamentary session.
“After months of anxiety, there is finally a positive step taken by the authorities in North Macedonia. We welcome the agreement to allow Bulgarian doctors to participate and expect this to quickly translate into an actual examination and the necessary treatment. This opportunity must be seized immediately. Let Iva receive full protection and a fair trial,” Golomeev said on behalf of the Progressive Bulgaria parliamentary group.
Mihaylova is facing charges in the Republic of North Macedonia over her involvement in a fatal traffic accident. She has dual Bulgarian and North Macedonian citizenship and is accused of an offense related to traffic safety.
The crash occurred in early October 2025 and left several people injured, including Mihaylova herself. Her documents were confiscated after the accident, preventing her from receiving treatment in Bulgaria, one of the countries where she could undergo care because of the specific nature of her spinal injuries.
Golomeev said the case has already been brought to the attention of European and international institutions. President Iliana Iotova discussed it with Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset on September 16, and on September 22 in New York she raised the matter with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
“We appreciate this commitment and support Iva’s call for access to necessary medical treatment, while respecting the independence of the judicial process,” the statement said.
Golomeev said other international organizations had also been informed about Mihaylova’s case.
“On October 5, a concrete positive step followed: via an official note, North Macedonia consented to the participation of Bulgarian medical specialists in assessing Iva’s health condition. This was confirmed by information from our embassy dated October 6. The next steps involve selecting the Bulgarian specialists and organizing the joint examination,” Golomeev said.
On behalf of the PB parliamentary group, he urged all other parliamentary groups to back coordinated measures on the case.
“First, the visit of Bulgarian medical specialists must be organized immediately, in coordination with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health. Following the assessment, the necessary treatment must be provided without further delay. If this requires travel abroad, Bulgaria should insist on a proportionate modification of the restrictions, while providing guarantees for Iva’s participation in the proceedings. Second, work with the European Commission and the European Parliament must continue through a joint appeal presenting the current facts,” Golomeev said.
PB also called for the case to remain part of Bulgaria’s dialogue with North Macedonia on the rule of law and for international public attention to be maintained in cooperation with Bulgarian Members of the European Parliament.
“Third, we must follow up on the issues already raised with the Council of Europe and continue working with its Commissioner for Human Rights. We should also seek assistance from the UN High Commissioner and the Special Rapporteur on the right to health. Fourth, we must assist Iva and her lawyers in presenting her case before the European Court of Human Rights, provided the admissibility criteria are met,” the statement said.
“Let Iva and her family know that Bulgaria stands behind them,” the statement concluded.
Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova was previously expected to raise Mihaylova’s case during her meeting today with her North Macedonian counterpart, Timcho Mucunski.
Petrova spoke to journalists before the opening of the International Ministerial Conference on Corridor 8.
“They requested this meeting, and I, of course, accepted. I look forward to learning what topics they wish to discuss. I assume the focus will be on European integration – an area where we hold a very clear position. I hope to hear a desire for progress on their part. I will raise the issue of Iva Mihaylova, and I hope they will be willing to cooperate,” the minister said.