Brussels, 13 May 2025 (MIA) - We were the first country to complete the pre-financing agreement within the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, demonstrating that we know what we want and focused on swift realization of commitments, Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska told MIA after the annual Economic and Financial Dialogue between the EU and candidate countries in Brussels on Tuesday.

"We must take into account that the Government has been in power less than a year, and in this period we needed to establish communication within institutions on current operations, on top of the Growth Plan requirements. That is why I expect a faster pace in the coming period and being again on top compared to the other Western Balkans' states when it comes to meeting the obligations we have been given," said Minister Dimitrieska-Kochoska.

Regarding the tasks within the Growth Plan, 16 bylaws have been amended thus far and everything that has was supposed to be completed by the end of March is already delivered.

"I am pleased to see that the Growth Plan agenda is the same with the Government's priorities, with the conclusions of today's meeting moving in the same direction," noted Dimitrieska-Kochoska.

According to her, the country's priorities focus on creating a favorable business environment and a predictable tax policy, countering the informal economy, digital transformation, coping with the lack of workforce, sustainable energy and energy transition, as well as a functional judicial system.

One of the main topics of the Economic and Financial Dialogue was strengthening of Europe's competitiveness, something that the Ministry of Finance has been working on by securing additional funds for investments through the so-called Hungarian loan.

 "All of this is aimed towards improving the competitiveness of Macedonian companies and improving productivity," said Dimitrieska-Kochoska.

The FinMin added that the country is facing problems related to productivity and automation, and that is why the Hungarian loan aims to provide easier access to cheap financing sources for the purpose of automation, increase of productivity, competitiveness and higher exports.

On the demands for increase of defense spending up to five percent of the GDP, she said the country's NATO membership means it is committed to certain aspects that must be delivered.

"The only question is will we manage to do this in such a short time. That is why the Government is focused on fighting the informal economy, corruption and crime, so that the Budget revenues increase and those funds can be allocated for defense purposes, while also earmarking sufficient funds for healthcare, wages and pensions," said Dimitrieska-Kochoska.

Photo: MIA