Skopje, 14 February 2022 (MIA) – Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jovanka Trenchevska met Monday with the World Bank Country Manager for North Macedonia, Massimiliano Paolucci, to discuss the implementation of the emergency COVID-19 response project in North Macedonia, aimed to reduce local transmission of COVID-19 and strengthen the country’s preparedness during a pandemic. Minister Trenchevska said that as part of the project vaccination stations are being renovated, COVID-19 drugs are procured as well as vaccines to immunize the population, and more equipment is being provided. She said it was necessary the project to resume to complete all the activities. It is scheduled to close in June 2022. Trenchevska and Paolucci also discussed the new strategy for human capital development, being one of the government’s priorities especially post-Covid, said the Labor Ministry in a press release. “Social reform amid the COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed we are on the right track to introduce changes in the society by supporting at-risk citizens,” said Trenchevska. Talks also focused on the pension system with the interlocutors stressing the need to change the methodology for aligning the pensions. The Minister also welcomed the excellent cooperation with the World Bank in pre-school education, for citizens from vulnerable groups, young people and in providing support for the elderly by introducing social services in the community, said the press release.