Tensions in Macedonia Due to Skopje's Pro-Russian Stance, Says Lavrov
The Balkans and surrounding regions are increasingly making headlines, more for the geopolitical aspects related to gas than for the hydrocarbon industry itself. The area is the latest battleground between Russia, and the European Union (which once more reads Germany). The last hours did indeed witness unexpected developments.
While European authorities are preparing for the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in Riga on 21-22 May, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the tensions in Macedonia have to do with its support for Russian interests in the region. After a meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic in Belgrade, Lavrov turned the spotlight on the region.
“I cannot judge with a final definition, but objectively it turns out that these events in Macedonia are developing on the backdrop of the Macedonian authorities’ refusal to join in the sanction policy against Russia, as well as on the backdrop of its active support that Skopje showed in regard to the planned construction of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, which many in Brussels and those overseas are against,” Lavrov said, as reported by Russia’s Sputnik.
According to Ukraine Today, Lavrov is trying to increase Russian influence in the region. Serbia, which holds the chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe till the end of 2015, is considered a key piece of the jigsaw by both Moscow and Brussels.
Last month, Andadolu Agency reported that the Turkish Stream natural gas project is an incentive for Balkan countries to become a member of the EU.
BULGARIA READIES AGAINST SPILLOVERS
Meanwhile, countries in the region remain on high alert, scared of possible spillovers of the tensions in Macedonia.
Earlier this week, the Bulgarian government voiced its intention to take all the possible measures to limit possible contagions.
“Based on the information that we currently have, we discussed all political and operational risks, possible scenarios of crisis development,” Deputy Prime Minister for Coalition Policy and Public Administration and Minister of Interior Rumiana Bachvarova said in a note released on Tuesday.