MOSCOW, September 25. /TASS/. Bulgarian Ambassador to Russia Atanas Krastin was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry following the expulsion of Russian Orthodox clergy from Bulgaria.

"On September 25, Bulgarian Ambassador Atanas Krastin was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry. A strong protest was expressed to him over the expulsion of the dean and two clergymen of the Russian Orthodox Church compound in Sofia from Bulgaria, something that was done under an invented pretext and in an insulting way," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "It was noted that this provocative action by the Bulgarian authorities, which perfectly fits the current Euro-Atlantic trends toward 'combating Russia’s influence,' will inevitably lead to unpleasant consequences, first of all, to its initiators."

The ministry expressed confidence that the Bulgarian authorities’ plans "geared toward breaking down centuries-long spiritual ties and traditions of friendship between the Russian and Bulgarian peoples have no prospects and are doomed to failure."