Skopje, 13 March 2026 (MIA) – In the midst of rising oil prices on global markets and as the whole region and the world are facing price pressure, fuel supply in Macedonia is stable, the companies have at a disposal secured supplies and supply has been also enhanced through the Vardax pipeline and the government is following the situation closely. If global price pressures go on, we’re prepared to use all mechanisms at disposal to protect the citizens’ standard, said Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, Sanja Bozhinovska said at a news conference Friday alongside OKTA Skopje CEO, Dimitrios Pashos.

According to the rulebook on the level and method and calculation of operational reserves, she noted, retailers should have operational reserves of oil derivatives and transport fuel at any time to cover a five-day average trade scope for every oil derivative separately.

Bozhinovska said that the State Market Inspectorate has already conducted more than 300 inspections after which it was concluded that everyone has secured the needed five-day operational reserves, according to the rulebook.

The minister added that there was an immediate response after the crisis with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrioska Kochoska having a meeting with all oil companies. They all said they have oil.

“Today we can say the companies act responsibly in a bid to cushion the consequences from the global situation involving oil derivatives. The company OKTA decided starting today until the end of March to offer a discount of 2.4 denars per kilogram or two denars per litre for diesel and fuel for retailers that provide oil from the company. This move comes as a result of increasing the quantities of fuel through the Vardax pipeline, which additionally boosts our country’s supply,” stated Bozinovska.

The energy minister said that amid the Middle East conflict, transport was suspended through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that has been critical to the transportation of about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas.

“Prices on global energy markets have skyrocketed, the whole world is reacting with measures, for now, of course short-term, the situation is being monitored. The International Energy Agency announced that it will release 400 million barrels of oil from its reserves, which is the largest amount ever in history. The decision was made unanimously. The US Treasury Department has issued a 30-day license, which allows the delivery and sale of Russian oil and derivatives, which are already loaded on tankers and are at sea and this is of course a short-term measure and is valid until April 11, 2026,” concluded Bozhinovska.

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