All acts threatening Bulgaria's ethnic peace might affect negatively the national interest, Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) member Liutvi Mestan said.

Recent nationalistic displays aim at disturbing the ethnic model, a MRF declaration reads. In the beginning of the week a petition demanded the recognition of a Turkish ethnic minority in Bulgaria. At the same time supporters of nationalistic movement Ataka organised protests, Focus news agency reported.

All these acts are aimed at undermining the national value system, which permits peaceful co-existence and has enabled Bulgaria to avoid the conflicts that have occurred in neighbouring countries, Mestan said.

Nationalistic acts can only result in tension, affecting negatively the attempts of several Cabinets to maintain human rights and freedom in the country, said Mestan. He said the ruling coalition would continue programmes for minority integration.