Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said Sunday that recession in the second quarter of 2012 came as no surprise, taking into account developments in Europe, but expressed hope that measures undertaken by the Government would result in better results by the year-end.

"Many countries are in recession and the export of Macedonian companies has reduced, which comes as no surprise. We are working in hope that all measures we have undertaken will result in better results in Q3 and Q4", PM Gruevski told reporters.

He added the Government would continue to undertake measures so that Macedonian companies get through the European crisis.

"The Government is closely monitoring the situation, but also produces measures towards assisting our companies in getting through this period of European debt crisis, accompanied by recession. Macedonia is endangered by this situation, since exporting partners and ones that produce investors are in an exceptionally difficult situation. We will continue with our efforts to improve things", emphasized Gruevski.