Skopje, 16 November 2022 (MIA) - With the latest measures to ensure cheap electricity for the food supply, we expect to see a reduction in the prices of bread, milk, flour and other basic food products by up to 10 percent and to protect the standard of the citizens, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said on Wednesday. At the joint press conference after the meeting with the French Secretary of State for Europe, Laurence Boone, he once again underlined that the EU proved to be a trustworthy partner and fulfilled its promises, and the last support the country received from the Union was a grant of EUR 80 million to deal with the energy and economic crisis. "This support comes because the EU recognized that we are a responsible Government that responsibly manages the Budget. It was with this approach that we were able to return money to the citizens when it was most needed and to provide twice anti-crisis measures for the protection of the most vulnerable categories of citizens and for the protection of companies in the amount of EUR 760 million. This is precisely why we were able to provide liquidity for companies, which protected jobs, and continuously provide 80 percent subsidized electricity, as well as cheap electricity for the smooth functioning of the vital functions of the state," the Prime Minister pointed out. With such responsible behavior, Kovachevski added, an increase in the minimum wage to MKD 18 thousand, an increase in pensions, salaries in education, in the police, in healthcare etc. was ensured in the past period. "With this same responsible approach, but also a vision for the future, we also approach the energy transformation that we need so much, especially in this time of energy shortage. The EU offers its support here as well and will be a trusted partner providing the opportunity for the development of projects in the energy sector. I often talk about the large energy strategic projects that are currently being negotiated in the Government with strategic partners from abroad, and one of the largest among them comes precisely from France - AKUO, which is interested in building a large photovoltaic plant of 400 megawatts in the region of Shtip," underlined the PM. He emphasized once again that the future is in the so-called green energy and in ensuring energy independence. "With proper support and proper management, I am confident that we can transform our beautiful homeland into a temple of green energy and ensure energy independence, but also supply the region with electricity from renewable sources. This is the future and it is not unattainable. We are already taking the first steps and I am confident that we will realize our vision and provide in the industries of the future that will bring us more jobs, better paid jobs and will bring us a better common future," Kovachevski concluded. dk/ba/