Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski welcomed the formation of the new government in Greece. He said he expected the government to be committed to resolving the name dispute and to stop using the financial crisis as an alibi in the process.

"I'm pleased that Greece has managed to complete the election process and to form a government, both as our neighbor and as euro zone member, because it has prompted fears and in-depth analyses in the European Union on what might happen. I hope the financial crisis facing the new government in Greece will not be an alibi in avoiding efforts to be made in order a solution to be found to the issue that has been preoccupying the two countries for 21 years. Hopefully, it won't be used as an alibi to delay or hold off a swift and effective solution that will be in the interest of both sides and, of course, in the interest of Macedonian citizens," Gruevski said on Saturday.

The PM wished the new Greek government to promptly overcome the difficult financial and economic crisis, which "is being reflected all across Europe and in countries in the region."