Roundup: Macedonia to strengthen security at border after turmoil in Turkey

Macedonia will increase police and military presence at its borders in the coming period after the attempted coup in Turkey, according to recommendations from the Group for Assessment of the security situation made on Saturday.

The group, consisted of the main security agencies and bodies in the country, met on Saturday to evaluate the security situation in Macedonia after the turmoil in Turkey.

"The security situation in Macedonia is stable and peaceful for now. But it was agreed that the border patrols and the security at the border should be increased, in order to prevent any potential new migrant influx waves," Macedonian Center for Crisis Management announced.

Turkey's role was crucial in sealing off the Balkan route for migrant transit towards Western Europe in the past months. The crisis in Turkey increased the concern among the Balkan countries that new waves of migrants trying to push to Europe are possible.

"Macedonia strongly opposes any acts of violence and terror and expresses firm support to the democratic elected authorities in Turkey," stressed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Skopje in a written statement. This was confirmed by the Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov on Saturday as well.

"Republic of Macedonia supports the democratic elected Government of the Republic of Turkey, which as a member-country of NATO and an extremely important country in addressing all global challenges has proven itself as a huge friend and strategic partner for Macedonia. We support normalizing the situation in Turkey and we call upon respect for the democratic institutions, as well as avoiding any type of violence and bloodshed," Ivanov's Cabinet stated.

The Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday morning issued a warning to all Macedonian citizens to be extremely cautious when traveling to Turkey after the attempted military coup that happened in the country.

"All Macedonian nationals that are currently in Turkey should stay in safe locations. They shouldn't leave their hotel rooms or the objects where they are staying and should avoid mass gatherings on public locations," Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

Due to the high tourism season, a huge number of Macedonian citizens are currently on their vacation in Turkey.

Amid the warnings, the Macedonian Tourism Chamber encouraged citizens not to cancel their planned summer trips to Turkey.

"There are absolutely no threats to the security in the hotel resorts and vacation areas. According to our data, there are around 1,000 Macedonian tourists in Turkey at the moment. They are all safe and they are feeling fine," President of the Chamber Gjorgji Vchkov said at a press conference in Skopje. The press conference was scheduled because of the rising concern among Macedonian tourists about their travel safety in Turkey.

Vchkov explained that although regular flights from Skopje to Istanbul were cancelled on Saturday, there are no changes in the charter air traffic leading directly to the Turkish holiday resorts.

Additionally, around 300 primary school pupils from the Macedonian town Tetovo are in a scout camp near Istanbul. They are also safe at the moment, and the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is making attempts to bring the children back home as soon as possible, according to officials. Endit