Skopje, 21 July 2026 (MIA) - The Government declared Tuesday a 30-day state of crisis in Gostivar municipality.

The decision was taken by a steering committee comprised of Defense Minister Vlado Misajlovski, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski, Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski, Health Minister Sasho Klekovski, Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski, Protection and Rescue Directorate (PRD) Director Stojanche Angelov, as well as external members Muamet Hoxha (Minister of Environment and Physical Planning), Borche Serafimovski (Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy), Ivica Tomovski (Director of Government's General Affairs Department), Marija Andonovska (Public Health Institute Director), Oliver Milanov (Food and Veterinary Agency Director), Ivana Ginovska (Environmental Inspectorate Director), and Orce Gjorgjievski (Skopje Mayor).

Considering that the local authorities cannot manage the situation in Gostivar municipality, the Government has decided to declare a state of crisis for the purpose of faster interagency coordination, putting the water supply system back into operation, and securing drinking water as soon as possible, the Government said in a press release.

It added that the health of Gostivar residents is in the Government's focus and the executive is fully committed to solving the problem.

In addition, the Government expects the Public Prosecutor's Office to carry out a detailed investigation into the case, noting that all those who put the health and lives of all Gostivar citizens in jeopardy should be held responsible.

Separately, the Government appointed former minister of local self-government Zlatko Perinski as acting director of the Health Insurance Fund.

MIA file photo