Skopje, 1 February 2023 (MIA) - Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj has said the European Commission has approved three new projects to North Macedonia through the call for investment grants worth EUR 53 million.

"Today, I received great news from Brussels that I am immediately sharing with you, the citizens. The European Commission has approved EUR 53 million for North Macedonia, for three new projects within the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans: overhaul of six hydro-plants, construction of a wind park in Bogdanci and construction of regional solid waste centers in Polog, Pelagonija, Vardar, South-Western and South-Eastern regions, in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development," Deputy PM Marichikj wrote in a Facebook post. 

Marichikj, who is the National IPA Coordinator, says European funds and foreign donor aid is of enormous significance for the energy independence and environment protection, two sectors that bring serious improvement of the quality of life of Macedonian citizens.

"This is assistance for the state to carry out the reforms but also reach European standards through improvement of environment and infrastructure in a faster and easier way," wrote Marichikj.

In July 2022, the EU approved the first four investment projects worth EUR 225,6 million: construction of railroad section Kriva Palanka-Bulgaria border (EUR 149,2 million), procurement of equipment for Oslomej 1 photovoltaic power station (EUR 1,6 million), procurement of equipment for Oslomej 2 and Bitola photovoltaic power station (EUR 5 million), and construction of waste water treatment station in Skopje (EUR 69,8 million).

Grants in the amount of EUR 1,1 billion were approved for all six countries of the Western Balkans within the sixth call for infrastructure grants. North Macedonia's share in the total amount is 20.5 percent, said the Secretariat for European Affairs.