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Anti-Russian sanctions

Lavrov feels Macedonia events and its pro-Russian policy are linked

The events in Macedonia are taking place against the background of Macedonia’s refusal to support sanctions against Russia and the plans of the Turkish Stream pipeline construction

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Oksana Toskic/TASS

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

© Oksana Toskic/TASS

BELGRADE, May 15. /TASS/. Moscow calls on all political forces in Macedonia to conduct dialogue without attempts to stage anti-constitutional actions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday after talks with Serbia’s Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ivica Dacic.

"The events in Macedonia are taking place against the background of Macedonia’s refusal to support sanctions against Russia and the plans of the Turkish Stream pipeline construction. We have a persistent feeling that there is some link here," Lavrov said.

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Russia concerned about activity of IS militants in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina — Lavrov

"As for the developments in Macedonia that reflect the volatile situation also in other parts of the Balkan region, we seriously fear that it’s manifestations of well-prepared terrorist actions that are being planned and staged," Lavrov said. "In this connection we are very much concerned over the developments in Kosovo and certain areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina." The minister said that the Islamic State is already active in this region, "trying to recruit young people in order to send them to the Middle East and North Africa to participate in terrorist activity."

"The EU, including its offices in the Balkans, should not take an ostrich attitude, trying to present the things like it was only one incident and there is no organisation behind it," he said. Lavrov said he was certain the Brussels officials are well aware of what is actually taking place, but "are ashamed to admit it." "Because they are probably trying to justify the ineffectiveness of their efforts," said the Russian foreign minister.

"We have supported Macedonian authorities’ actions and urge all the political forces to conduct dialogue without any anti-constitutional actions attempts," Lavrov said.

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Foreign policy Sanctions vs. Russia Sergey Lavrov Serbia

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