Data coming from the State Statistical Office should not come as a surprise, taking into consideration developments in Europe and the debt crisis, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski told reporters regarding the GDP contraction and the increased unemployment in Q1.

"Europe has gone into recession and if we single out the Scandinavian countries and Germany, the rest are in a deep crisis. Taking into account that our companies mainly export and trade with EU countries, the GDP drop in the first quarter should not come as a surprise", said Gruevski at Saturday's promotion of medical equipment at the Skopje-based Children Clinic.

He voiced belief Macedonia would cope successfully with Europe's debt crisis.

"The debt crisis is at its height. I hope recovery will follow soon and negative effects will reduce. On the other hand, we will continue to undertake measures for mitigation of this crisis coming from abroad", added Gruevski.