Skopje, 15 December 2025 (MIA) - This partnership is not just support, but a longstanding process of strengthening institutions, boosting expertise and creating modern systems that ensure predictable, accountable and transparent public finances, Minister of Finance Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska said, commenting on the cooperation with the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Technical Assistance (OTA).

Dimitrieska Kochoska pointed out that the cooperation with the U.S. Treasury has deep roots, noting that the country's budget planning system was originally developed with technical assistance from the United States in the period between 2004 and 2008 and represents the foundation for today's modern public finance management.  

Mentioning the important work achieved over the past years, the Finance Minister particularly mentioned the implemented cash management missions, accounting courses, as well as a pilot project for consolidating the general ledger. Active work has also been underway since September on revising the program classification, and 65 representatives from 29 institutions have already been trained in program budgeting and performance indicators. Cooperation should continue in the coming period through drafting by-laws of the Law on Budgets, a new format of the Budget, development of measurable performance indicators and further consolidating the general ledger as a strategic reform for transparent public finances.

The Minister said that during 2024, several missions were carried out in the financial system sector focused on integrated supervision models, supervisory skills and consumer protection, adding that work is currently underway on a new process for data collection, updating risk profiles and training for risk-based supervision, which will be fully implemented by the end of the year.

In the area of ​​public debt management, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with OTA in 2023 to promote public debt management and the development of the government securities market. The focus is on development of a new auction platform, development of the government securities market and active management of the public debt portfolio.

"The partnership between Macedonia and the United States in the area of public finance is not administrative cooperation, but longstanding investment in standards, institutional integrity and transparency. These programs directly contribute to more efficient institutions, better resource management, risk reduction and greater protection of citizens," Dimitrieska Kochoska pointed out. 

Photo: MIA