Kochani, 13 March 2026 (MIA) - The prices of petroleum products in the country are expected to come down by around Mden 2.5 per liter, after the Government and the Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources reached an agreement on discounted prices with supplier company OKTA, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told journalists Friday.

In answer to journalists’ questions in Kochani, Mickoski said he spoke to many gas station owners who told him they would transfer the discounted prices to consumers.

“The good news for the Macedonian citizens is that OKTA will give a discount of around US$45-50 per ton to companies working with them. This would mean a reduction of around Mden 2.5 per liter. Since the Energy Regulatory Commission determines the highest price, I expect that after this is announced, during the day, the price of oil and petroleum products will drop by around Mden 2.5 per liter,” Mickoski said.

The Prime Minister said this would mean a liter of diesel would cost EUR 1.35 and the Macedonian citizens will continue having the lowest prices of oil and petroleum products.

“We are doing what we said we would, the Macedonian citizens will have the cheapest oil and petroleum products even though we are several hundreds of kilometers away from intense military activities. But with good organization, with constructive dialogue, we are managing to overcome these challenges,” Mickoski stressed.

Mickoski said if global oil prices continue to rise, the Government would lower the Value-Added Tax, initially from 18 to 10 percent, then from 10 to 5 percent, based on how prices move. Regarding the excise tax, the Prime Minister said it is regulated by law.

PM Mickoski stressed there is pressure from neighboring countries, particularly in border areas, where people from neighboring countries come to buy cheaper fuel. He said Monday saw a historic peak in the supply of oil and petroleum products to consumers, with around 2 million liters dispensed in a single day.

“We will continue to be a factor of stability in the region, both as a Government and as politicians. Our goal is for citizens to slowly but surely regain their trust in the state and its institutions, which, unfortunately, over the past 10 years were lost due to corrupt political elites,” Mickoski said. 

Photo: MIA