Skopje, 1 November 2023 (MIA) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is one of the most significant and active international financial institutions in North Macedonia, which has contributed greatly to the country’s progress and development. Together with the EBRD, the country has realized 175 projects worth EUR 2,554 million and the fruitful cooperation will continue in the future, said the Finance Ministry in a press release Wednesday after Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi’s meeting with the EBRD Director for the Western Balkans, Matteo Colangeli, and the new head of the EBRD’s Office in North Macedonia, Fatih Türkmenoğlu.

The Finance Ministry said Besimi congratulated Türkmenoğlu on his new post, and wished him success, progress, and a future fruitful cooperation in the realization of numerous projects for the development and prosperity of the country.

“I am convinced that the already established cooperation with the EBRD will continue in the coming period through the preparation and realization of priority projects which have a great positive impact on our economy and the living conditions of our citizens. This is our common goal and I expect broad support for the fulfillment of the set priorities,” said Minister Besimi.

At the meeting, Besimi and the EBRD directors spoke about projects currently being realized with the support of the EBRD in the energy sector and infrastructure, as well as about the assistance expected concerning the transition towards clean energy for which USD 85 million are available through the Climate Investment Fund.

The meeting also noted the fact that North Macedonia is already undertaking activities related to the initiative for the expansion of EBRD’s operations to sub-Saharan Africa and Iraq, adopted at the EBRD’s 2023 Annual Meeting in Samarkand, said the Finance Ministry.

Photo: Ministry of Finance