Skopje, 3 September 2023 (MIA) – Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Ljupco Nikolovski marked on Sunday the start of the new IPARD 3 project on modernization of agriculture, worth EUR 97 million.

PM Kovachevski pointed out that the goal of the programme is much more efficient and full use of the EU funds for the country.

"But the ultimate goal is for our farmers and our economy to experience progress and development through achieving full-fledged membership in the European Union, because joining the EU will bring even greater benefits and even more financial resources from the EU funds," said Kovachevski. 

He added that through the IPA programme alone, so far, around EUR 1 billion have been invested in the country for infrastructure modernization and development, and also, last year, the EU provided EUR 100 million in macro-financial assistance to North Macedonia, EUR 80 million to deal with the energy crisis and EUR 160 million to deal with the economic crisis.

"This support further increases when a country joins the EU and just for comparison, the support that member countries in the region receive from EU funds is 11 times higher per capita than what the candidate countries receive," PM Kovachevski noted.

Therefore, by enabling access to the EU's single market, we will create a motive not only for the farmers, for the businesses, but also for the young people here in North Macedonia to build their future, he pointed out. 

Agriculture Minister Nikolovski said North Macedonia was the first country in the region to start implementing such a programme. He noted that the IPARD 3 programme provides funds for the Macedonian agriculture sector, which is an investment in modern and competitive agricultural production according to European standards.

The call for applications to the programme refers to the priority investment sectors of milk and dairy products, meat and meat products, fruits and vegetables, cereals, grain mill products and starches, vegetable and animal oils and fats, wine must, wine and vinegar. Also, energy production through processing plants and animal products from primary and secondary biomass, except for biomass from fish products.

The deadline for submitting the applications is September 18, 2023. Investments that will be approved must be completed by May 31. Applicants should submit the request for payment by June 30. 

Photo: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia