Skopje, 23 September 2023 (MIA) - This week, the United Nations was the political centre of the world, and one of the main topics dominating the debate was undoubtedly the Russian aggression against Ukraine, which showed how the destructive force of the war easily spilled over into the economy of every country in the world, with no one spared, Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi said in New York, who took part at 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and SDG Summit.

But the damages, as he says, were smaller among those who had developed a protective mechanism against external shocks in their economic structure, regardless of whether they were caused by economic, environmental or geopolitical shocks.

He noted that this protective mechanism is called economic resilience, and our Macedonian economy can reach that resilience only by acceleration of the European integration processes and full EU membership, the government said in a press release.

“EU membership will firstly give us access to the world's largest single market of 500 million consumers, providing a diverse consumer base for our products and services. The expanded network of trade agreements, reduced trade barriers will help to offset losses from possible future shocks,” Bytyqi said.

He also said that above-mentioned is only part of the economic benefits that North Macedonia can receive, which, "will strengthen its own ability to navigate through the rapidly changing global economic landscape, and protect the standard of living of our citizens and in conditions of crises and conflicts.”

Photo and video: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia