NATO Urges Restraint in Macedonia, Calls for Transparent Probe of Deadly Clashes

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has called for a transparent investigation of clashes between police and an armed group in Macedonia that took place over the weekend.

"It is important that all political and community leaders work together to restore calm and conduct a transparent investigation to establish what happened, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement on the website of the Alliance.

Eight police officers were killed and 37 were injured in the shootouts which began early on Saturday in the town of Kumanovo, in northern Macedonia. Fourteen other dead bodies were also found at the site.

"I urge everyone to exercise restraint and avoid any further escalation, in the interest of the country and the whole region," Stoltenberg said.

Macedonia joined NATO's Partnership for Peace in 1995 and the Alliance's Membership Action Plan in 1999.

Beyond the need to make progress on reforms, the country has to find a mutually acceptable solution with neighbouring Greece to the issue over its name before it can be invited to join the defence alliance.