Skopje, 18 February 2022 (MIA) – Economic recovery, green transition and modernization of the energy sector, improvements in the education system, healthcare, labor market and social inclusion, as well as digital transition and strengthening of competitiveness of domestic companies, along with their integration in global supply value chains are the main challenges incorporated in the 2022-2024 Programme for Economic Reforms (PER). Priorities and measures correspond with the priorities and recommendations of the European Commission. Activities on fiscal sustainability in the mid-term period are projected towards economic recovery, in parallel with support of capital investments, and in line with the Plan on fiscal sustainability and support to economic growth, the Plan on accelerated growth and the Intervention investment plan, concluded Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi and European Commission representatives on Friday. Michela Matuella, Acting Director for the Western Balkans at the European Commission’s DG NEAR, said North Macedonia is the only country in the region to hold this format of economic dialogue, providing a strong signal to the EC over the country’s commitment to the process of negotiations, where the PER plays a key role and is an operational tool for implementation of structural reforms, which are a prerequisite for use of funds of EU’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, the Ministry of Finance said in a press release. Both sides highlighted the importance of the discussion on the joint conclusions within the Economic-Financial Dialogue with the EU, which are set to be adopted in May and represent a foundation for the next budget and inclusion of required ministry reforms in their budget plans. Interlocutors agreed that efforts in the coming period should focus on gradual fiscal consolidation while considering the implementation of capital investments that are needed for green transition, strengthening of the human capital through improvement of the legal framework for the labor market, quality of the education system and social inclusion, as well as continuation of activities for digitization of public services, rationalization of para-fiscal fees and reducing informal economy. The PER is the most important strategic document in the economic dialogue with the EC and EU member-states. It includes a mid-term framework of the macroeconomic and fiscal policy and structural reforms, which should contribute to increase of economy’s competitiveness and job creation, reads the press release.