Serbian FM Condemns Macedonia Killings as Dangerous for Region

The killing of 5 men in neighboring Macedonia are part of a "dangerous trend," said Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic Saturday.

During a visit to Cacak, Jeremic denounced the murders, saying such actions could endanger the stability for the region of the Balkans, reports Tanjug.

Late Thursday the bodies of four youth and one man, all of ethic Slavic origin, were found in the vicinity of Macedonian capital Skopje.

The murders sparked fears that a simmering conflict between Slavic and Albanian Macedonians could re-ignite.

Riots took place Friday, but situation remained peaceful Saturday, as Macedonian authorities attempted to convince citizens not to give way to hatred.

"Such incidents just cannot be allowed, especially if they are ethnically motivated," stated Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremic.

"One such incident in the Balkans could very easily catch flame and grow into something much more serious," added he.

Jeremic however stressed that the murders are strictly speaking an internal issue for Macedonia.