In spite of numerous challenges, some of them hardly predictable, this year has been successful for Macedonia, Prime Minister and ruling VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski said Tuesday at a traditional annual meeting with leaders of political parties that comprise 'For Better Macedonia' coalition.

In 2011 the European Commission for the third time in a row has recommended opening of Macedonia's EU accession talks, which is a proof that the reforms have been mostly realized in a proper manner, Gruevski said.

"This year we have been focused on reforms that should steadily advance the quality of life of citizens, which is our primary objective," Gruevski said.

This year Macedonia organized successful parliamentary elections, The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICJ) ruled in its favor on a long-standing dispute, which will help the country in the future, Gruevski said, pointing out that 2011 has brought progress in all spheres.

Greece's blockade and debt crisis in Europe, Macedonia's top export market, remain the country's most serious challenges in 2012, he said.

We must closely monitor the development of Europe's debt crisis, which is not going to hit the banking sector or bring similar crisis to Macedonia, considering its low state debt-26 percent of the GDP, but will certainly reflect on the real sector - export, production and hence on the employment rate, Gruevski said.

In 2012, the coalition 'For Better Macedonia' will remain committed to realizing all of its promises to citizens and keep working harder to that effect, which is the reason why this coalition has preserved the citizens' trust for the last five years, he said.

Asked about Macedonia's next year priorities in terms of the country's EU, NATO integration processes, Gruevski emphasized the judicial and public administration reforms.