Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski assessed in his interview for the Sitel news on Wednesday that there are tensions in the region, but that Macedonia does not expect these tensions to provoke major problems and destabilization of the security. Gruevski stressed that Macedonia is an established country that exists 17 years; that it is a candidate country for membership in EU; and that it expects to receive an invitation for NATO membership next year. He emphasized that no one could divert Macedonia from this course.

This statement comes prior to today's National Security Council session on the negotiations on Kosovo and the possible consequences on Macedonia.