Issues related to Macedonia and the European Union and what the country has done to make a breakthrough, recent reforms in numerous fields - especially in areas closely monitored by the European Commission - as well as the International Court of Justice's judgement delivered yesterday were the focal point in Brussels at a meeting between Premier Nikola Gruevski and EU President Herman Van Rompuy.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting on Tuesday, PM Gruevski said that talks mainly focused on future plans and reforms in all areas.

"We are about to adopt the action plan for the coming period regarding issues stemming from the EC progress report and we've discussed this. We've also discussed the current financial situation all around Europe and the eurozone, which is being reflected in all European countries and beyond, regardless of whether a country is within the eurozone or not," Gruevski said.

With Van Rompuy views were exchanged involving the challenges imposed by the current eurozone crisis, its effects and chances for tackling it. Moreover, the President of the European Council informed Gruevski on future plans due to be executed in solving the European crisis and the monetary danger facing the eurozone and those that are not members, but are in a way linked to the eurozone.

At the meeting, PM Gruevski presented details from yesterday's decision reached by the Hague court and its significance for Macedonia's EU integration bid.

"I've informed Van Rompuy on the key details of the ICJ ruling, stressing that Macedonia now expects EU and NATO countries to respect the court's decisions, since they are its founders," Gruevski added.

Asked whether the name row with Greece would change its course following the ICJ judgement, the PM said it largely depended on the other party.

"Macedonia is prepared and regretfully Greece in the past six months was unable to focus on the dispute due to turmoil at home. It's uncertain whether the name row will be treated now, especially after the new Greek premier stated that the dispute is not on his agenda and that his mandate must tackle issues related to finances and economy," PM Gruevski noted.

This development, he added, would harm the process and neither Macedonia nor Greece would benefit from it.

"We are ready to talk, but we also have in mind the situation our southern neighbour Greece is in. All circumstances now should be reviewed stemming from the ICJ judgement, with which it was upheld that Greece breached the 1995 Interim Accord by not allowing Macedonia to be admitted to NATO at a summit in Bucharest in 2008. Hopefully in the future, such actions will not be made," PM Gruevski said after meeting the EU President.

Gruevski together with Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Vladimir Pesevski, Minister for Foreign Investments Vele Samak and Director of the Directorate of Technological Industrial Development Zones Viktor Mizo will take part at a Macedonia – Belgium Business Forum organised in cooperation with the Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency.

Government's team will present opportunities that Macedonia offers for opening business, macroeconomic data for current economic movements in the country and spheres where economic and trade cooperation between Macedonian and Belgium businessmen can be boosted.

According to economic statistical data, the Kingdom of Belgium is placed in the group of first 25 countries that the Republic of Macedonia realises the largest scope of exchange.

Macedonia has surplus in trade exchange in the last years and from the beginning of the year it amounts 13.8%.

The total value of trade exchange between the two countries amounts US$ 74.6 by end of Sept. 2011 or 0.8% from the total exchange of Macedonia in the world.

Moreover, Gruevski is expected to meet Tuesday afternoon with Kris Peeters, Minister-President of the Flemish Government.

From Brussels Gruevski leaves for the French city of Marseilles to take part and to address the 20th Congress of the European People’s Party (EPP). He will also take part at the summit of heads of state and government from EPP party members, in Marseilles.

Gruevski from France will head for the Hague to meet the president of VNO-NCW, the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers and representatives of several large companies. The following day Gruevski will take part at a Macedonian-Dutch Business Forum.