Skopje, 26 November 2025 (MIA) – Our vision of the Government Strategy for cooperation and development of the civil society 2025-2028 involves support of an inclusive, independent and professional civil sector that is a partner of the institutions in creating and implementing the country’s strategic goals.

This was stated by government secretary general Igor Janushev during the National Forum – Fair of Civic Organizations “Cooperation between the government and the civil society”, organized by Civica Mobilitas and the government on Wednesday in Skopje. 

“One of the principles guiding the government to work on improving cooperation and relations with the civil organizations is the principle of openness and transparency, deemed vital instruments for building equality before the law and accountability of decision makers. The government has demonstrated its open and sincere approach in including civil organizations in policy creation processes by re-establishing an independent, representative and effective Cooperation Council between the government and the civil society,” said Janushev.

He recalled that in December 2024 after consultations with the civil organizations, the government passed changes to a decision on setting up a cooperation council between the government and the civil society and in March 2025, it appointed members of the Council, which “put and end to the three-year boycott of the work of the government’s advisory body.”

The Cooperation Council between the government and the civil society, Janushev said, is a key mechanism for institutional cooperation and crucial engagement of civil organizations in the process of creating, implementing and evaluating policies. 

“May we work together with a vision and determination in cooperation in partnership with the civil organizations and may we build a prosperous, just and dynamic democracy,” urged Janushev. 

The national forum is attended by PM Hristijan Mickoski, Swiss Ambassador Christoph Sommer, Aleksandar Krzhalovski, MCIC Director and leader of the Civica Mobilitas team. It also brings together ministers, deputy ministers, local government representatives, and sector heads from different areas, alongside civil society groups. They will discuss education, local self-government, digital transformation, social policy, healthcare, environmental protection, and financial reforms.

Participating in the debates with civil society representatives will be Education Minister Vesna Janevska, Local Government Minister Zlatko Perinski, Digital Transformation Minister Stefan Andonovski, Deputy PM for Good Governance Arben Fetai, Deputy Minister for Social Policy, Demography and Youth Gjoko Velkovski, Deputy Health Minister Jovica Andovski, and Health Insurance Fund Director Sasho Klekovski.

Photo: MIA