Macedonia policemen killed in gunfight with ‘terrorist group’ / EU, US ‘cast serious doubt’ on Macedonia’s commitment to democracy

A group of around 70 men attacked and killed at least five police officers in Macedonia near the border with Serbia and Kosovo on the 9 May 2015. The restive region had long been home to ethnic tensions.

Following a weekend of bloodshed, the United States and the European Union questioned the Macedonian government's commitment to democracy and European values over its failure to address allegations of abuse of power, piling pressure on leader Nikola Gruevski.

Bulgaria sent soldiers to its border with FYR Macedonia on 13 May 2015.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Breaking Macedonia's vicious circle http://www.europeansources.info/record/opinion-breaking-macedonias-vicious-circle/

BBC News, 10.05.15: Macedonia police killed in clashes with 'terrorists' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32674121

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: STATEMENT/15/4955: Statement by Commissioner Hahn on the situation in Kumanovo, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-15-4955_en.htm

BBC News, 10.05.15: Macedonia blames Kosovans for deadly Kumanovo clashes http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32680904

EurActiv, 11.05.15: Violence in Albanian region deepens Macedonian crisis http://www.euractiv.com/sections/enlargement/violence-ethnic-albanian-region-deepens-macedonian-crisis-314468

EUObserver, 11.05.15: Macedonia violence prompts EU appeal for calm https://euobserver.com/foreign/128656

EurActiv, 12.05.15: EU, US 'cast serious doubt' on Macedonia's commitment to democracy http://www.euractiv.com/sections/enlargement/eu-us-cast-serious-doubt-macedonias-commitment-democracy-314518

Blog: Strategic Europe, 11.05.15: Macedonia’s Uncertain Future http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=60033

NATO: News, 10.05.15: Statement by the NATO Secretary General on the situation in Kumanovo, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_119262.htm

Deutsche Welle, 13.05.15: Macedonia factfile http://dw.de/p/1FPTs

EUObserver, 13.05.15: Bulgaria sends army to Macedonia border https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/128707

EurActiv, 15.05.15: International pressure on Macedonian political elite brings no results http://www.euractiv.com/sections/enlargement/international-pressure-macedonian-political-elite-brings-no-results-314618

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