Brussels, 18 May 2010 (MIA) – 2010-2012 Pre-Accession Economic Programme of Macedonia, which Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Zoran Stavreski presented in Brussels today in front of EU Finance Ministers, was assessed as positive.

Finance Ministers of EU Member States assessed that Macedonia managed the global economic crisis very successfully, showing good performance in terms of GDP and balance of payments current account. Fiscal policy, aimed at maintaining low budget deficit of 2.7%, and monetary policy were assessed as quality and well-designed in crisis circumstances.

In 2010, Macedonia is expected to realise 2% growth, which is to increase to 3.5% in 2011.

Continuing the implementation of structural reforms aimed at improving the business climate and quality of public administration are the key pre-conditions for realisation of European reform agenda on the coming medium term, Vice Prime Stavreski.

As a whole, assessment of Pre-Accession Economic Programme of Macedonia, like the ones of Croatia and Turkey, as EU candidate countries, is positive.