Skopje, 27 August 2024 (MIA) — Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Minister of European Affairs Orhan Murtezani presented the proposed reform agenda for 2024-27 at a news conference Tuesday, highlighting that the government was fully committed to achieving the strategic goal of full integration into the EU. 

"Not only do we see our country's future as a full EU member but also as a modern, economically stable and prosperous country that meets the highest European standards," PM Mickoski said. 

"Our vision of a modern 'Macedonia, yours again' is based on the principles of inclusiveness, rule of law and economic development, which will allow us to be an equal partner in the European family," he said. 

Mickoski said the draft reform agenda for 2024-27 was the result of the government's dedicated efforts to promote the country's economic growth and stability as part of the EU's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

He said the new growth plan initiated by the European Commission aimed to reduce the economic disparity between the state and the EU by offering citizens access to the benefits of the EU even before official membership. 

The plan is based on four pillars, aimed at enhancing economic integration with the European Union’s single market; boosting economic integration within the Western Balkans through the common regional market; accelerating fundamental reforms; and increasing financial assistance to support the reforms through a financial package of EUR 6 billion, of which EUR 2 billion in grants, Mickoski said.

According to the plan, the state should receive EUR 750,400,000 for the period 2024-27.

The state's reform agenda should be adopted by the EC, opening the possibility of signing grant and loan agreements in line with Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans. After the agreements are ratified, a request will be submitted to withdraw the first tranche, amounting to seven percent of the allocated funds or about EUR 52,500,000.

The reform agenda was drafted in close cooperation with the EC and covers priority areas including reforms in the public administration as well as reforms related to energy transition, cyber security, digitization, human capital development, and improving the business environment, which are essential to improve the country's living standard and ensure progress and long-term stability. mr/