Skopje, 19 August 2024 (MIA) — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski confirmed Monday his view on drafting a new law on urban planning together with civil society representatives who had voiced their disapproval of the amendments to the existing law that were passed in a fast-track procedure in Parliament last week.

"I said we definitely need a new law. To draft a completely new law on urban planning, I have suggested a heterogeneous composition including representatives of various non-governmental organizations. The President and I share the same position on this issue," Nikoloski said Monday in response to a journalist's question after President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova announced last week she would sign the bill into law while also calling for a new law to be drafted as soon as possible together with the opposition and non-governmental organizations.

The government claimed that the main reason for adopting the fast-tracked amendments was to simplify procedures for municipalities in carrying out their plans for infrastructure projects funded through the package of EUR 250 million provided by national budget revision.

Civil society organizations, however, said the changes would allow for implementing outdated detailed urban plans not corresponding to reality and would also destroy public spaces. 

Siljanovska Davkova, explaining her decision to sign the bill into law, had said the amendments were necessary for municipalities to receive funding for their projects. She also noted that the opposition had not discussed the bill or submitted any amendments during the parliamentary procedure. mr/