Skopje, 4 September 2024 (MIA) — First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Izet Mexhiti met with acting Mayor of Gostivar Valbon Limani for talks on state support in funding municipal projects and stimulating the process of decentralization, according to an official press release.

"We talked about specific projects. We will help complete the Block 21 fecal sewage project, which is very important for the citizens of Gostivar," Minister Mexhiti is quoted as saying in the release.

He also said Chegrane, the largest village in the country, would receive government support for a municipal project worth EUR 1.3 million.

According to Mexhiti, the current government will distribute a billion euros to municipalities for capital projects as well as offer help in both preparing and implementing projects of public interest.

"We also talked about the process of decentralization, how to strengthen it, and how to proceed," Mexhiti said. 

"The next stage is fiscal decentralization, which will help Macedonia not to be the last non-centralized country in the region," he added.

Gostivar Mayor Limani said they talked about planned projects and funding they could get from the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning for their implementation.

He also discussed with the environment minister municipal problems including pollution and the need of better air quality as well as underground infrastructure, Limani said. mr/