Premier Nikola Gruevski on Sunday denied claims by the opposition that the government had orchestrated recent incidents amongst young people, urging that the Interior Ministry would solve all cases and punish the attackers.

"I've heard that such claims are being made, especially on social networks. I'm stunned by these claims. I think that I've never heard more idiotic statements that the government engaged attackers of Macedonian and Albanian ethnic background to incite incidents in order Macedonia not to be admitted to NATO," Gruevski told reporters after launching construction works for enlargement and reconstruction of a street in Skopje.

Firstly, he added, those spreading these claims should know that even if Macedonia is eligible for NATO membership, the organisation can reject us as a result.

"Secondly, they should know that the government and myself have never and will never play such dirty games. I would like to deny these claims, which in my opinion are unnatural and not typical for us as a political structure," Gruevski stressed.

The PM said that MoI was taking measures in relation to the incidents and that nearly 30 criminal charges had been filed.

"MoI will not stop here, it will strive to solve all cases. All those planning to make incidents in the future should be aware that they will clash with the state and law-enforcement institutions. They will not escape being brought before justice and being sentenced to jail," urged PM Gruevski.