Vienna, 21 April 2023 (MIA) - NATO membership raised the country's rating and increased foreign direct investments (FDIs), Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said delivering a lecture at the Vienna School of International Studies on Friday. 

 

 

Speaking on the topic "Start of accession negotiations with North Macedonia: New dynamics in EU enlargement", the PM mentioned government policies pointing out that the country is the bearer of the most positive political flows and processes not only in the Western Balkans, but also in Europe.

 

 

"NATO membership raised North Macedonia's international rating in political, in security and economic and financial sense. Joining the Alliance was not only a guarantee of peace and stability for North Macedonia, but a guarantee for the Macedonian economy, for the citizens, for our overall economic growth and development," he stressed. 

 

 

As a result of the country's membership in the Alliance, he added, FDIs reached amid crisis conditions a record historical amount of EUR 753 million, which is the highest level of FDIs in the country and twice as much compared to 2016. The government, he said, also supports the development of domestic companies, and the government's good economic policies bring an increased economic standard for citizens, stable and well-paid jobs and room for increasing their competitiveness on the labor market.

 

 

"We also support the development of domestic companies, with a record EUR 23 million of state support to 410 companies," said Kovachevski. 

 

 

The Prime Minister added that by resolving the dispute with Greece and signing the Prespa Agreement, the country has achieved one of the two strategic goals, and became a NATO member, which ensures lasting peace and strengthened the sovereignty of the state.

 

 

"The SDSM-led government implements integration policies, which has shown strong political will and a sincere drive for concrete progress in European integration," PM Kovachevski said.