Skopje, 27 April 2023 (MIA) - Like any other contract, the contract with Bechtel and Enka implies privacy and confidentiality. That stands with any contract signed between any government with any international large multinational company, in which certain parts must be confidential, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski told Thursday's Q&A session in Parliament. 

In response to a question from VMRO-DPMNE MP Eli Panova, Kovachevski pointed out these are serious and reputable foreign companies, adding that this was the practice with other contracts they have in other countries as well. The confidential information refer to the technology of work of each contracting party, to the way of their calculations..., and that, he noted, is not a crime and corruption.

The PM stressed that this was not the first such agreement in the country, adding that business secrets of companies must be respected. "But in no way does that mean that the Government is hiding something of interest to the public, or something that would have some negative effects on the citizens. The key elements of the contract that are of interest to the public have never been a secret, such as the value of the contract, the method of implementation of the contract, how citizens' money will be spent, etc.," Kovachevski said.

As regards transparency, the PM underlined that there is nothing secret. "This contract has been prepared for two years, since the adoption of the special law, through the Steering Committee, through the signing of the contracts with the supervision and with Bechtel and Enka, all the key points and the essence were before the eyes of the public," said Kovachevski. 

Kovacevski noted that all procedures with the contract have been observed according to the law passed by the MPs.

He mentioned the amendments submitted by Levica, adding that VMRO-DPMNE MPs are hiding behind them. According to him, Dimitar Apasiev leads the debate and heads the actions of the whole opposition which, he said, sits on the left side in the Parliament.

Kovachevski stressed that the contract with Bechtel and Enka has been signed in accordance with the law, and has passed all necessary filters. 

According to the PM, the project will be implemented in the end, and its dynamics will depend on the blockade that "is being done in the Parliament by your boss Dimitar Apasiev, and you are supporting it," he said addressing opposition MPs and urging them to stand behind the country's strategic interests at least for once.

Photo: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia