Skopje, 4 December 2025 (MIA) - European Union inflation is between 2-3 percent and in Slovakia it amounts to four percent. Our countries are small and depend on outside factors. Slovakia is mostly dependant on Germany, Austria and France, with the former two currently in recession. We envy your three-percent growth, since ours is only one, said Slovak Minister of Finance Ladislav Kamenický after a meeting with host Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska on Thursday.

"All countries suffered from the covid crisis in 2020 and 2021. I am now finance minister for a second time. On the first occasion, I left the post with a one-percent deficit and when I came back last year it exceeded six percent. On energy, I believe that the competition for suppliers in Europe is rather limited, and it would be better for us to buy where energy is cheaper. Slovakia is producing a lot of electricity, we have nuclear power plants, we are planning to build one more. Energy prices must be as low as possible so that Europe is competitive," said Minister Kamenický.

He said Slovakia is ready to support North Macedonia in its Euro-integration process but also draw on its experiences, primarily regarding the issuance of fiscal bills.

"What we want to achieve with the memorandum of cooperation among seven EU member-states and North Macedonia is already working in the United States. We believe it is important, especially for businesses, to use this opportunity to finance their endeavors with different kinds of bonds. EU has been trying to set up this union of capital markets for a decade now without any success. This project is the only one in Europe in which citizens can take part in the capital markets," added Kamenický.

Ministers Dimitrieska-Kochoska and Kamenický also discussed tax evasion and the country's EU-integration process.

"We exchanged opinions on a series of issues of mutual interest, agreeing on the broad potential for further enhancement of cooperation. We referred to the opportunities for development of the capital markets in Central and Southeast Europe after the conclusion of the cooperation memo between seven EU member-states and North Macedonia. This initiative is of enormous significance, since it enables integration of financial markets, a more dynamic economic environment and new sources of capital for the private sector. Slovakia is an important partner in this initiative and we welcome their readiness for joint development of systemic reforms in this segment. Macedonia has a clear and ambitious agenda to strengthen public finances, fiscal discipline and the business environment, while implementing projects that directly contribute to economic growth," said Dimitrieska-Kochoska.

The FinMin thanked Slovakia for its support in the sector of public finances, fight against tax evasion and transfer of know-how, which is significant in meeting the EU membership criteria.

"Macedonia and Slovakia are friends that share a common vision - a strong and stable region that is integrated in the European Union, with open markets, developed institutions and stable economies. This visit validates the continuity of our cooperation and the high-level political dialogue. I am certain that we will continue to work on the realization of reforms, strengthening of economic cooperation and creating new opportunities for citizens and businesses in both countries," underlined Dimitrieska-Kochoska.

Photo/Video: MIA