Veles, 25 April 2023 (MIA) – VMRO-DPMNE is not against the construction of sections of corridors VIII and X-d, we are against the extension of the workweek from 40 to 60 hours and a contract which contains penalties of over EUR 200 million, and there will be responsibility for this, said VMRO-DPMNE Leader Hristijan Mickoski on Tuesday, asked to comment on corridors VIII and X-d, which are being constructed by Bechtel-Enka.

“We are against solving potential disputes with the contractor on the basis of the legislation of England and Wales instead of the Macedonian legislation. We are against the suspension of the Law on Public Procurement as requested by the Government of DUI supported by their smaller partner SDSM,” said Mickoski.

Mickoski added that VMRO-DPMNE opposes the construction of such a large project without a construction permit, and it is also against paying prices for clearing the ground and for construction materials which are two to three times higher than the market prices.

“And finally, we are against the crime present in this project,” said Mickoski.

According to the VMRO-DPMNE leader, the Government could demonstrate it truly cares for Macedonia, Macedonian business and citizens, by offering the same conditions to the Macedonian companies, regardless if the owner of the Macedonian company is a Macedonian, Albanian, Turk, Roma, Vlach, Bosniak or Serb.

“They should gather the Macedonian companies and offer them the project, instead of saying that 30, 40, 50 percent of the project will be realized by Macedonian workers. This figure should be 100 percent if they really care for Macedonian business and the Macedonian citizens. We aren’t against renowned companies, but we are in favor of our Macedonian companies. We will continue to fight for our Macedonian companies, and we will do everything for VMRO-DPMNE’s next government to provide the Macedonian companies with working conditions that will enable them to hire Macedonian citizens,” said VMRO-DPMNE leader Mickoski.

Photo: MIA