Macedonia Refuses to Prosecute War Crimes Cases

The Macedonian Parliament has decided not to prosecute four war crimes cases dating from the past conflict between the Macedonian central government and largely Albanian areas in the northwest of the country. One of the four cases shelved by Parliament involves the kidnapping, torture, and murder of ethnic Macedonians by members of the Albanian-backed National Liberation Army. The cases are being overlooked in an effort at national reconciliation between the country's Macedonians and Albanians. More here.

Bulgaria Maintains Ties with Albania's Bulgarians

The Bulgarian government is seeking to strengthen ties with communities of Bulgarian Orthodox Christians and Muslims living in southeastern Albania. More here.

Macedonian Orthodox Holy Synod Calls for an End to Skopje Violence

At its meeting this week the Holy Synod of the independent Macedonian Orthodox Church has called for an end to conflict between the Macedonian and Albanian residents of the country over the construction of a church and museum in the Skopje Fortress, pointing out that the authorities responsible for the construction did not obtain the blessing of the Archbishop of Ohrid, who serves as Metropolitan of Skopje, and thus are not building a church for the use of the Macedonian Orthodox faithful. More here.