Our goal during this mandate will be to bring complete transformation and the Europeanisation of the Republic of North Macedonia. Our intention is to activate the fast track of negotiations through chapters with the full and unconditional fulfilment of our EU agenda, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said in an interview with CorD magazine.
Asked about his source of optimism when announcing that the country is awaited by a stable political period, Zaev said he draws his optimism from achievements made during the previous mandate.
“We showed in the past three years that we can provide higher economic growth that creates new jobs and at the same time provide higher salaries. We demonstrated that the historically lowest unemployment rate can be achieved, and the minimum wage can be increased by as much as 60 per cent, from 9,000 denars to 14,500 denars, in less than three years,” he notes.
Zaev points out that the ambitious concept for continuing the positive and bold policies launched to adapt the economy to the current situation is an additional source of motivation for members of the government to work twice as hard not only to get out of the COVID-19 crisis with fewer consequences, but also to quickly return to previous growth rates.
“We have a plan for an innovative, stable and competitive Macedonian economy, ready to respond to new challenges and offer a chance to everyone. In such an economy, salaries will continue to rise. During the crisis, we made a commitment to retain the minimum wage of 14,500 denars. After the end of the crisis, the Government will continue with its proven efforts: increase of the minimum wage by 20 to 40 per cent by the end of the mandate and increase of the average salary by 20 to 30 per cent by the end of the mandate, depending on the length and impact of the coronavirus crisis on the world and domestic economy,” Zaev says, adding that the goal of the government is to put the economy on a path to solid and sustainable growth of four per cent by the end of the mandate.
The Prime Minister also tells CorD about expectations regarding the actual opening of EU accession negotiations and North Macedonia’s readiness for that.
“Our intention is to activate the fast track of negotiations through chapters with full and unconditional fulfilment of our EU agenda. On our part, we will not allow further delays. We accept the new principle of reversibility of the process if there is a degradation of the democratic environment in our country, but I would stress that our solemn obligation is not to allow that in the name of the future of the state and its citizens,” Zaev points out.
He voices hope that discussions on the negotiating framework in Brussels will have a successful conclusion at the General Affairs Council, GAC, on 10th November, after which it will be realistic to expect the first intergovernmental conference to be held in December.
PM Zaev told CorD, a monthly English language news magazine issued in Belgrade, that despite the health and economic crisis that has impacted North Macedonia, as well as other countries around the world, the government will remain focused on creating conditions for a new cycle of dynamic economic growth, sustainable development, effective rule of law and strong institutions, modern education and a stable society and internal cohesion.
“We are on a path of no return. We have spent considerable time on conflicts instead of resolving them. The benefits of our work are felt presently and will continue to benefit future generations. With every step, with every open chapter in accession negotiations with the EU, with every problem solved, we work to improve the quality of life for all citizens,” Zaev said.
In his interview with CorD, the Prime Minister also speaks about issues in the region, relations with neighbors, the Friendship Treaty with Bulgaria, the Prespa Agreement with Greece, as well as the announced EU economic and investment plan for the Western Balkans and its allocating of EUR 9 billion for the region over the next six years.
