Skopje, 6th July 2016 (MIA) – Realization of already commenced EU-funded projects, such as Demir Kapija – Smokvica highway, waste water treatment plant in Prilep and Bitola – Kremenica railway section, continues as according to the envisaged dynamics, Minister of Finance, Kiril Minoski, said.
In his interview for Kanal 5 TV, Minister Minoski explained that the decision to cancel EUR 27 million IPA funds refers to funds for which no projects are defined and agreed with the European Commission yet.
He underlined that EU funds would be used for all mature projects.
– There are anyhow positive signs, for instance, we received information from the Austrian Development Agency yesterday on awarding a grant intended for the crisis management system within the PRO, Minoski said.
As for the withdrawal of the IMF Resident Representative, Minister Minoski explained that it was a matter of IMF internal decision, having no political background.
– IMF Resident Representative has been withdrawn due to their internal reasons. To the end of rationalizing the costs, IMF closes some resident representative offices and withdraws its representatives from all countries not having any agreement with the Fund. Cooperation with the IMF will certainly continue. We are expecting the regular Article IV IMF Mission scheduled in September this year, Minoski pointed out.
Regarding the Supplementary Budget, Minister of Finance explained that the budget was adjusted by revising the growth projections in line with the newly occurred conditions due to the political crisis. Minoski pointed out that the Supplementary Budget included the funds necessary for realization of capital investments, agricultural subsidies, salaries and pensions.
He stressed that capital investments were at a record high level so far, as well as that no funding of projects was cancelled within the Supplementary Budget.