Macedonia's Parliament is hosting Monday a debate on higher education reforms. Addressing university rectors and members of the Government, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said that amendments to the higher education law were put forward with best intention - for students to improve their knowledge, professors to be more successful and the state more prosperous.

The government, he said, has been aware that these changes put the cabinet into a risk of disapproval, protests, but something must be done for Macedonia to unglue itself from the bottom. The results will be tangible in mid, long-term period, the PM said.

"The education system must be our most powerful resource. If we stick to easily-attainable diplomas, we will sink deeper in 20-30 years. Now is the turning point. If we change the education system now it will be on a higher level. This (the reform) is not a radical measure as standards in this sphere will be gradually upgraded in the upcoming years," Gruevski said.

Regarding the standards on scientific publications that the professors need to publish in international journals with an impact factor, Gruevski said they would be introduced to bolster the competitiveness of domestic academicians, whose mind and achievements should represent the Republic of Macedonia across the globe.

Members of the so-called 'Professor Plenum', invited by the PM to come to a different location, i.e. the Parliament, instead of the planned venue - the Alexander Palace hotel, did not take part in the debate. They stated in front of the Parliament building that they would not participate in the debate because they deemed the discussion unprofessional and irregular, as it was convened by the Government and not the parliamentary committee of education.

Gruevski expected constructive remarks to arise from the debate, saying the government was completely open for arguments that would bring a progressive and high-quality law.

"We want to help, and I'm sorry that the professors from the so-called 'Professor Plenum' are not here to confront our arguments," Gruevski said.