The US Ambassador to Sofia, James Warlick, had not been allowed to participate in a high school event in the Bulgarian town of Asenovgrad, according to the Bulgarian daily Tryd (Labor).

Trud writes the Ambassador was invited to attend a presentation of seniors from the Saints Cyril and Methodius High School, dedicated to the potential of the town of Asenovgrad to become a tourist attraction, but at the last moment was unable to get in.

The decision was made on the grounds there had been a verbal order to not allow outside people in the building. The school's principal, Maya Kraeva, had refused to name the person who told her to not allow Warlick in the building, according to the article.

Trud further writes that the Mayor of Asenovgrad, Hristo Grudev, had called the principal in person to tell her the US diplomat will and can attend the event and that she must prepare for the high-ranking guest.

The Ambassador was on a visit in Asenovgrad on the invitation of former Foreign and EU Affairs Ministers, Solomon and Gergana Passy, in their capacity of official faces of the International Earth Day campaign.

Warlick had made a 30-minute visit of the Town Hall and later joined the Passy family, according to Trud.