Seven Macedonian citizens who were located in a hotel near the Banjska Monastery during the armed attack on Kosovo Police were returned to North Macedonia on Monday under the escort of the police.

This information was conveyed by Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani, who mentioned that these citizens were freed after being interviewed and subjected to regular checks by Kosovo Police.

“Following interviews and routine checks by the Republic of Kosovo Police this morning, our citizens have been safely sent back home, accompanied by Kosovo Police. The circumstances surrounding their presence were complex, as they were staying in a hotel near the site of the armed attack against the police,” Osmani announced on his Facebook profile.

Osmani added that he maintained continuous communication with Kosovo authorities, who “assured the safety of our citizens”.

However, Osmani did not provide further details regarding the stay of these Macedonian citizens near the Banjska Monastery.

In response to the tensions in Banjska, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovačevski, released a statement on Sunday evening “condemning the events” in Kosovo and expressing “full support for KFOR in all future activities aimed at ensuring peace and stability in Kosovo and the region”.

“I call for a reduction in tensions in Kosovo and the continuation of dialogue and the peaceful and democratic resolution of all outstanding issues. Accelerating Euro-Atlantic integration in the Western Balkans is crucial. It is the sole means to ensure progress and stability in the region… The region must move forward; citizens deserve prosperity, a better future, and an improved standard of living,” Kovačevski conveyed in his Facebook statement.

He also assured that the security situation in North Macedonia is stable, and citizens have no reason for concern.

“All institutions responsible for security are closely monitoring the situation. Furthermore, based on information exchanged between intelligence services within the country and information received from our NATO allies, there are no indications of security breaches in North Macedonia,” Kovačevski stated.