Heightened diplomatic activity in relation to fulfilling the strategic goals - NATO and EU membership and in particular the tasks given by the European Commission prior to the spring report as well as promotion of Macedonia's investment opportunities remain to be the main guidelines and priorities of the Macedonian diplomacy for 2013, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki said Monday in Skopje after opening the two-day annual Ambassadorial Council.

"We will aim to retain the dossier of reforms providing us with an increased level of application of standards which are crucial for becoming a member and to prepare ourselves in the best possible way for the EU accession process. With respect to NATO membership, we will remain committed not only to the forums, where decisions are being made, but also to the missions, which is our strongest argument. Our priorities will be also focused on bilateral relations with all countries in Europe and beyond," Poposki stated.

In terms of bilateral relations, he added, the focal point will be economic cooperation, because the diplomatic and consular offices are obliged to increase their activities in a bid to promote the country.

Asked about the relations with Bulgaria and on the possibility for new high-level meetings, the FM said the recent correspondence with his Bulgarian counterpart suggested that both countries had an interest in being active in this process.

"In the period to come, we will be fully committed to this momentum of communication to translate into mutual respect and commitment to what is considered an European framework of regulation of bilateral ties," Minister Poposki noted.

According to him, "there is no excuse for failing to normalize the relations between Macedonia and Bulgaria ahead of the EC spring report," underscoring that Macedonia "is committed and proactive."

Asked about the upcoming visit by UN name mediator Matthew Nimetz to Athens and Skopje, Poposki declined to talk about expectations before Nimetz presented his views. "Macedonia however remains constructive in this dialogue."

Commenting the demands of the Macedonian minority in Albania for a new census, the FM said that it was important for every country in the region to pay great attention to political sensitivities when planing such operations.

Nearly 30 heads of the Macedonian diplomatic and consular offices are attending Monday's Ambassadorial Council.