26th February 2026, Skopje – Budget remains stable and in sound condition, with all liabilities being settled in a timely and uninterrupted manner, Minister of Finance Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska stated in response to a parliamentary question in the Parliament’s building.
She urged that no false perception be created suggesting that the Budget is in a state of bankruptcy, underscoring that the absence of delays in payments, together with the fact than no additional burdens are being imposed on the citizens and the business sector, clearly attest to the responsible, transparent, and well-structured public finance management.
“I urge that no false perception be created that the Budget is in a state of bankruptcy. When all liabilities under the Budget are settled in a timely manner and no additional burdens are imposed on citizens and businesses, this unequivocally demonstrates that public finances are stable and in sound condition. Our policies are focused on fiscal consolidation, transparency, and building trust among the investors and the public,” Dimitrieska-Kochoska stated.
Minister reiterated that since the beginning of the year, the Government has borrowed EUR 1 billion to repay the existing liabilities, and additional EUR 300 million will be provided from abroad, also intended for servicing maturing debt. She emphasized that approximately EUR 2 billion in liabilities will fall due in 2026 alone, information that has been continuously and transparently communicated, thus, as the Minister stressed, reflecting accountable public debt management, rather than new net borrowing.
“Budget deficit has been steadily declining, from 4.4% of GDP in 2024 to 4% in 2025, projected to reduce to 3.5% in 2026, signaling clear progress as regards fiscal consolidation and stabilization of public finances,” the Minister pointed out.
Reflecting on the Eurobond, she emphasized that the historic low interest rate attained at the time of its issuance is the result of months of hard work and intensive communication with international investors.
“There has not been a single comment about attaining the historic low interest rate on the Eurobond, and it certainly has not come out of thin air. This has been the result of months of sustained effort and continuous communication with investors, raising, on a daily basis, questions about the Budget, the economy, our plans, and, unquestionably, the inherited circumstances. They are closely monitoring the economic policies, the budget discipline, the reform processes, and the overall state of affairs we inherited,” the Minister said.
The Minister stressed that accountable public finance management, preservation of macroeconomic stability, and provision of a predictable and secure economic environment for citizens and businesses remain a priority.
