Skopje, 9 March 2023 (MIA) - Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi said Thursday the transfer of the EU grant worth EUR 80 million to the National Bank account should be completed by the end of the week.

Minister Besimi said funds must be targeted and used in the most efficient way since these are funds provided by EU taxpayers.

"What we are presenting today is more than money, these are EU taxpayers' funds given to us. It is our duty to show that the funds will be targeted and used in the most efficient way for those in need, through measures for households, especially for socially vulnerable groups, but also for the economy and those who are most affected," said Besimi.

The FinMin said the grant represented a continuation of what the EU did in 2020, when it granted EUR 40 million to North Macedonia, aimed at social-economic resilience and COVID-19 crisis management.

"The support continues with another EUR 100 million loan from the European Commission as support to policies for fiscal consolidation of growth and economic development. In addition, the EC is providing further EUR 100 million for the economy, a law that is already in parliamentary procedure," noted Besimi.

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