Skopje, 13 August 2024 (MIA) - As a Government, we must work on protecting citizens’ standards and improving the services they receive. That is why we are trying to introduce a third mobile operator on the market. For now, it remains purely a matter of interest and information, with no specific actions having been undertaken, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Tuesday.

"If there are any concrete steps the public will be informed in a timely manner, but we have to start this process to protect citizens from the duopoly currently present on the market, which will fight to maintain its position, that much is clear. Aside from being fully partisan and imposed on by the leadership of some former government, which in the last seven years influenced the personnel policy of the duopoly, we must work on protecting citizens’ standards and improve the services available to them. Neither the Government nor I as leader, will give up protecting citizens' standards and services they deserve in the 21st century," Mickoski told journalists attending the construction of a kindergarten Srnichka in Aerodrom municipality.

Our interest, he added, is citizens' standards, and we are aware that the services they pay for as a result of the duopoly are probably the highest in the region and Europe.

"The only way to put an end to the duopoly is to introduce a third mobile operator, which will be followed up by fabricated stories about the company is cooperating with Chinese or other companies. Our stance, as a Government, is clear, we must protect citizens' standards. We cannot allow them to fall victims to the duopoly, which is still present today. At the same time, our position is clear, and any company that wants to be part of the market and be the third mobile operator must meet all requirement and criteria in agreement with the state's rules, in agreement with the strategic orientation of the countries where the equipment originates from that will eventually be incorporated, as long as there is an interested third party," Mickoski noted. ssh/sk/

Photo: Government