Skopje, 21 August 2023 (MIA) – The adoption of the constitutional amendments in North Macedonia’s Parliament, and with it the enabling of the continuation of the country’s Euro-integration path, is not only a political question, but also a question of economic structural changes that will result in a series of permanent benefits both for our businesses and for our citizens, wrote the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs, Fatmir Bytyqi, in a Facebook post Monday.

The Deputy PM said that EU membership would mean a higher living standard and purchasing power for the citizens.

“One of the largest benefits ahead of our country is the creation of realistic conditions for a significant growth of wages, which, for certain countries, in the first five years after EU membership ranged between over 50 percent and up to 100 percent,” wrote Minister Bytyqi.

Bytyqi wrote that the country’s full-fledged membership in the EU will open the economy’s doors to the European single market composed of 500 million consumers, which, he wrote, will further strengthen the trade perspectives and the potentials for achieving sustainable rates of GDP growth.

“The experience of other countries shows us that in the first five years of membership, GDP growth rates increase by 80-90 percent. The simplified trade will increase export opportunities, and create the business conditions for a reduction in costs and increase in the efficiency of domestic companies. Free movement of workers within the European Economic Area will enable companies to access new human resources, with developed talents and advanced knowledge, which will support their efforts to increase their adaptability to the changing demands of the market,” wrote Bytyqi.

The Deputy PM reminded that the EU is the country’s largest financial supporter, donor and creditor in all areas, and that it helps “Europeanize” the Macedonian business model.

“With the acceleration of the Euro-integration processes and their finalization into full-fledged membership, direct assistance for the economy will continue and will be much higher. New programs and funds, which can be up to 11 times larger than the ones currently available, will be made available to the country and businesses. We mustn’t miss these historic opportunities for our economy. There is no other realistic perspective or alternative that will lay long-term and firm economic foundations for achieving accelerated, sustainable and long-term growth, increased competitiveness of businesses and higher living standard for the citizens,” wrote Deputy Prime Minister Fatmir Bytyqi.

Photo: MIA