Latest News from Macedonia
Macedonian ministers, head of intelligence service resign
Macedonian ministers, head of intelligence service resign
SKOPJE -- Macedonian Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska, Minister of Transport Mile Janasijeski, and head of the intelligence service Saso Mijalkov have resigned.
Bulgaria Opposition MPs Call for Macedonia's EU Accession
Bulgaria's two biggest opposition parties, have demanded a more rapid accession of Macedonia and other Western Balkan nations into the EU to boost "Europeanization" there.
Positions of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) largely overlapped during a debate in Parliament while lawmakers were holding a regular sitting on Wednesday.
Montenegro Urged to Restore Conscript Army
On the back of perceived terrorist threats to the region, the head of NOVA, the main pro-Serbian party in Montenegro's parliament, on Tuesday called for the country to restore compulsory military service.
Andrija Mandic expressed concern that the recent violence in Macedonia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina could spread to the entire region.
Macedonian Interior, Transport Ministers, Security Chief Resign
Macedonian Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska, Transport and Communications Minister Mile Janakieski and the Director of the Administration for Security and Counterintelligence (UBK) Saso Mijalkov all resigned on Tuesday evening.
Their resignations come at a time of heightened political tensions in Macedonia.
Ministers Quit as Macedonia's Turmoil Deepens
Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska and Transportation Minister Mile Janakieski resigned on Tuesday alongside Saso Mijalkov, the chief of the secret police.
A press statement said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski accepted their resignations and had submitted his proposals for new ministers to parliament.
Members of Kumanovo Armed Group Admit to Involvement in Gosince Attack
Members of the armed group that surrendered after clashes with Macedonian police in Kumanovo over the weekend have admitted they had been involved in an earlier attack on a police station in the village of Gosince, Macedonian news agency MIA reported on Tuesday.
Ramush Haradinaj is the mastermind behind the Kumanovo attack
Ramush Haradinaj is the mastermind behind the Kumanovo attack
Daut Haradinaj, Ramush's brother is directly involved in organizing terrorist attacks in Macedonia's northwest.
These terrorist groups are responsible for bloody attack during the last weekend in Kumanovo. This information comes from highest officials in Serbian security agencies.
Pristina "wants to contribute to prevent escalation" - PM
Pristina "wants to contribute to prevent escalation" - PM
LJUBLJANA, PRISTINA -- Pristina is interested "in the firm cooperation between the police forces of Kosovo and Macedonia," Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa has said.
Albanian prime minister cancels visit to Macedonia
Albanian prime minister cancels visit to Macedonia
TIRANA, BERLIN -- Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has canceled his official visit to Macedonia, planned for May 14, Albanian language media in Pristina are reporting.
Rama was to visit Skopje and Tetovo, the website Albeu said on Tuesday, quoting sources from the Albanian Foreign Ministry.
Bulgaria Urges Renewal of Political Dialogue in Macedonia
Bulgaria calls for a new dialogue between the government and the opposition in Macedonia to avoid further destabilization of the country.
In a statement released after a meeting of the Security Council established under Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, Sofia also demands "responsible action" from the government to restore trust of citizens and institutions.
Analysts: Violence could spill over to Kosovo
Analysts: Violence could spill over to Kosovo
KOSOVSKA MITROVICA -- The violence in Macedonia could spill over to Kosovo - especially as individuals from Kosovo are involved in the clashes there.
This fear has been voiced by Serb and ethnic Albanian analysts in Kosovo and Metohija.
Terrorists "planned to blow up bridge in Skopje"
Terrorists "planned to blow up bridge in Skopje"
SKOPJE -- The terrorist group that last weekend carried out an attack in Kumanovo, northern Macedonia, "planned to blow up one of the main bridges in Skopje."
This was reported on Tuesday by the Macedonian website vecer.mk, which said the information was revealed by one of the captured terrorists.
EU, US Ambassadors Concerned with Macedonia Gov't
Macedonia's government is not doing enough to account for the opposition's allegations of wrongdoing, several Western ambassadors have warned.
Macedonian police release video of anti-terrorist operation
Macedonian police release video of anti-terrorist operation
SKOPJE -- The Macedonian police have published video footage of the operation they carried out in Kumanovo over the weekend when they "neutralized" a terrorist group.
Ambassadors Press Macedonia to Probe Wiretap Claims
After meeting Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski on Monday, the US, French, British, German and EU ambassadors said they were concerned about the lack of progress in investigating allegations of government wrongdoing raised by wiretapped conversations of officials.