Gruevski: fitch rating confirmation, result of sound economic policy: he added the rating's confirmation is good for Macedonia, indicating that the country is moving in the right direction.

The 'BB+' with a stable outlook, which Macedonia received from "Fitch" agency, thus affirming its previous rating for the country, is a confirmation of the Government's sound economic policy, said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

"The Fitch rating confirmation comes as a result of the sound economic policies, low indebtedness amounting to 26 percent of the GDP, as well as continual reforms implemented by the Government and state institutions. I am glad that Macedonia has managed to keep its credit rating in times when most of European countries have seen their ratings lowered", PM Gruevski told.

He added the rating's confirmation is good for Macedonia, indicating that the country is moving in the right direction.

Start of the high-level dialogue with the European Union may be positive for Macedonia provided that it contributes to accelerating the start of the official accession talks, the agency Fitch said in a report posted on its website. The agency says that the topics to be discussed with the EU include the public administration, the election legislation reforms, and the strengthening of the market economy. According to Fitch, the benefits from this step and the start of formal talks with a well-defined accession timeframe will be double. First, the process could help enhance the extant reforms that contribute to improving the business climate in the country. Second, the transition to accession talks may help secure a political stability in the country, Fitch says.

According to the latest ranking, Fitch assigned Macedonia BB+ with a stable outlook.

"The political risks including the name issue as well as the postponement of the accession talks with the EU are an obstacle to the rating. The resolution to the name issue, which would pave a way to EU membership, with the additional benefits, such as stronger institutions and political frameworks, better access to financing, investments and export markets, could prompt a positive action in regard to the rating if it is combined with a suitable economic growth," the experts of Fitch said.

In connection to the confirmation of the rating by the Fitch agency, Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski stressed that this is confirmation that they believe in Macedonia's perspectives but also that it is a signal for the domestic and foreign investors and all those who analyze and observe Macedonia and a potential EU member.

"It rarely happens for a European country, in these 12 months, to get confirmation for its own rating. The fact that Fitch confirmed Macedonia's rating and the remarks on the positive macroeconomic stability and influence on the process of opening the EU high level dialogue shows that the rating-agencies and Fitch, as one of the three most renowned agencies, believe in Macedonia's perspectives on an economic and political level," said Minister Stavreski.