Southeast European countries and Macedonia strongly feel the consequences from the economic crisis. In this context, today's summit served as an opportunity to present Macedonia's economic situation. The country in several segments from the economy fares much better than other countries by having low debt and being the fourth least indebted country in Europe, Deputy PM and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski said Wednesday in Brussels.

Stavreski in the capital of Belgium attended an annual European Policy Summit entitled "Balkans progress: Battling to overcome the impact of the crisis".

Ways to strengthen democracy and rule of law, measures to stimulate the business environment and energy efficiency were discussed at the event, MIA's correspondent from Brussels reports.

Deputy PM Stavreski said the summit was crucial for the European Union and SEE countries, including Macedonia, in order to discuss "how to tackle the challenges stemming from the economic crisis."

"Macedonia has yielded solid results while improving the business climate, becoming one of the best in Southeastern Europe. In this context, Macedonia will seek support from the EU and European banks, namely the European Investment Bank (EIB), to continue the lines of credit for small and medium-sized enterprises in Macedonia and infrastructural projects, which are a vital instrument to boost economic growth," Stavreski added.

Macedonia's delegation, he said, presented the country in a very positive light and sought endorsement from the EU and its European friends to open the doors for Macedonia.

"It will contribute Macedonia to bolster its growth and more foreign and domestic investments to be realised. It can also play a role in settling the issue with unemployment, which is a major problem," FinMin Stavreski concluded.

In addition to Stavreski, the Brussels summit was also attended by Serbia's PM and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, EC's enlargement director general Stefano Sannino, Slovakia's Deputy PM Miroslav Lajcak, Goran Svilanovic - incoming Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), and other eminent officials.