Skopje, 17 January 2023 (MIA) – The Republic of North Macedonia is setting up for the first time regional solid waste management systems in line with European standards. The Ministry of Finance has provided the funds, while the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning will be the implementing entity.  

Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi and Environment Minister Naser Nuredini signed Tuesday an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on implementing the project.  The investment is supported by the EBRD, the EU, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).    

“Together with our partners, the European Union and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, we are signing today a loan agreement between the Republic of North Macedonia, represented by the Ministry of Finance, and EBRD, as well as a project agreement between the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, as the implementing entity, and EBRD. Under the agreements, North Macedonia’s government provides EUR 55 million sovereign loan extended by EBRD. In addition, EUR 24.8 million grant has been provided by the EU, approximately EUR 9 million grant by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and additional EUR 1 million grant funding by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA),” said Besimi.    

He stressed that the investment is of crucial importance for a greener and sustainable future of North Macedonia, adding that not only will it reduce pollution significantly, which is the top priority for the citizens, but it will serve as the leading example for the introduction and development of new projects in the field of circular economy and secures prosperous regional development of the country.  

The investment will support the establishment of three regional integrated waste-management systems in accordance with EU standards across five regions (Polog, Southwest, Pelagonija, Vardar and Southeast), providing services for more than one million people. The project will therefore make local dumpsites obsolete and introduce environmentally safe disposal practices in line with EU standards.   

“The Ministry, together with the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, is proud to bring about such an important change in the management of solid waste, in line with EU standards, for the first time in the country,” said Besimi.