Police forces have managed to adequately face various situations, which is a proof that the Macedonian police is a modern and effective service, which could be compared to all European services, Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska concludes in an interview with MIA on the occasion of the Macedonian Police Day. In it, she also speaks about the murder of five fishermen on the lake of Smiljkovci nearby Skopje, police operations, police reforms, the "New Wave"...

Asked to single out an event which has marked the year, she points out the grisly murder of five men in April and the resulting police action. "If I were to make a distance, I would say that the main characteristic of the previous year are the numerous actions and challenges that we have faced. One of the most important events were the elections in June 2011 - one of the most democratic and secure polls ever held in Macedonia, then the Campaign case that has disclosed the illegal games by some politicians during the election campaign. The trial over the Spiderweb case is also significant for exposing all of the groundless attacks on the police and the attempt to hide a crime such as tax evasion citing freedom of expression. The Detonator police action also left its mark, as well as the numerous drug seizures and arrest of persons wanted by international police. The swift reaction by the police following the murders in Skopje and Gostivar cannot be overlooked as well as their measures taken to prevent violent beatings in public transportation buses."

"For six years I am part of the executive authority leading one of the biggest and most complex ministries. Sincerely, I don't remember that the opposition has ever been satisfied with a project or that it has praised an operation. On the contrary, opposition parties on regular basis are supporting criminal actions. Therefore, I find no foundation in their discontent. As long as opposition leader (Branko) Crvenkovski and opposition parties stick to the transitional matrix and treat the citizens with underestimation, for me their calls for interpellation and unfounded criticism are an additional proof that the police are on its right path," Jankuloska says when asked to comment the several interpellations in the Parliament launched by the opposition.

Asked whether MoI has been collaborating with intelligence services from neighbouring countries in relation to the April multiple killings, the minister states she will not give priority to information by foreign services compared to the information collected by local services.

"It doesn't matter where they come from, it matters whether the information is precise and accurate. Radical Islam has seen expansion worldwide and Macedonia is not an exception. Globalisation and the Internet are not only tools for improving the links amongst nations, they also enable opportunities for more effective sharing and spreading of radical ideology," minister Jankuloska notes amongst other thing, adding that MoI has solved the case of the April killings on its own having overwhelming support by the citizens.

Commenting whether MoI expects other similar incidents and whether the police will raise its alertness involving attempts for the promotion radical Islam, Jankuloska says that the goal of terrorist groups is to spread fear and to change the everyday lives of citizens while casting doubt over the capacity of state institutions to deal with such cases.

"Neither the citizens of Macedonia nor myself will be associates in meeting their goal. The society in Macedonia demonstrated maturity, but we cannot fool ourselves that future challenges are not possible. We must remain united and vigilant," Jankuloska tells MIA.

The whole world, she adds, has been pushed in an era of security challenges following the 9/11 attacks. "The terrorist attacks in New York has showed to us that even the most developed and prepared nations are not immune to terrorist threats."

"I wouldn't say that the gruesome murders in light of the Easter holidays in April and the apprehension of suspects is an introduction into a new era, it is a brutal reminder of the period we live in and the challenges we must face," the interior minister states.

In connection to the "New Wave", Jankuloska claims that MoI is a professional and non-partisan institution. "However, the new wave will extend to the ministry because it is a synonym of changes toward better results, fresh ideas, fresh energy and motivation to do something for the benefit of Macedonia."

"MoI will not quit its policy of zero tolerance for organised crime and corruption. Nothing can stop us and our intentions," minister Jankuloska says in an interview with MIA.