Skopje, 27 April 2023 (MIA) - Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi and Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Director-General Kerstin Jorna signed Thursday the agreement between the EU and the Republic of North Macedonia on the country's participation in the Single Market Programme.

The Single Market Programme offers a comprehensive set of services to strengthen and support the single market's administration and operations, combining a broad specter of activities, the Ministry of Economy said in a press release.

"The Single Market Programme offers an excellent opportunity to provide significant contribution to the strengthening of competitiveness, employability and growth. The programme is adapted as a key instrument in the resolution of unpredictable issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic and other recent crises that we have faced, while setting the foundations for the sustainable recovery of Europe. The general objectives include the improvement of the internal market's functionality, protection of people, consumers and enterprises while increasing their competitiveness," said Minister Bekteshi at the programme signing.

This programme, he added, involves EU support in promoting efficiency at the internal market, in light of digital transformation, strengthening of competitiveness and sustainability of SMEs, promotion of consumers' interests and ensuring a high standard of product safety and consumer protection.