Skopje, 5 November 2024 (MIA) - An additional EUR 50 million from a European Investment Bank (EIB) loan that were received but not used will be made available to the municipalities, said First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment, Izet Mexhiti, on Tuesday. All 80 mayors are invited to meet with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on Friday to receive information about the funds, he said.

According to Mexhiti, the funds were received during the previous Government’s term but have not been realized. They were meant for ecological projects, horticultural beautification of municipalities and underground infrastructure such as sewers and water pipes.

“Seven million have already been processed in certain municipalities, but in order to accelerate the process we will invite the mayors to a meeting with the Prime Minister, and we will inform them about how much of the funds they are entitled to, what the conditions are, to submit projects and that we are ready to help. The funds have already been received, we are paying interest for them, but they haven’t been used,” Mexhiti told TV Sitel.

He said the Government has drawn up a methodology on assistance for the municipalities and doesn’t distinguish them on political grounds.

“We are working for the citizens, and they will be the ones that will make a distinction based on the work that is being done. We have had no problems with 76 municipalities, which include those ruled by the opposition, by DUI, SDSM and other parties; only four mayors have had problems. We decided to prolong the call just because of them, so they can receive the funds. Strumica, for example, applied with a project which is underway. However, I think this too will be solved through good communication, because funds have been allocated for Strumica as well from these EUR 50 million,” Mexhiti said. 

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