Skopje, 28 January 2024 (MIA) – For me, as a Prime Minister designate of this Government, it makes no difference if it is 1 or a 100 days, or if it is a caretaker Government. I want to assure you that at no moment will I permit a deviation from that which represents a functional and reliable institution for the citizens, and an institution with clear responsibilities defined by the Constitution in relation to the other branches of power in the Republic of North Macedonia, said caretaker Prime Minister-designate Talat Xhaferi in his address to the MPs at Parliament’s session Sunday on the vote for the caretaker government.

 

Xhaferi reiterated that he accepts the mandate with pleasure and full responsibility, with the pledge that responsibly, and on the basis of the Constitution and the laws, he would lead the Government and negotiations for its creation in a way that corresponds to the political need and the situation in the country, with the hope that the proposed ministers will meet the expectations of the current situation, and above all, do so with responsibility towards the citizens.

 

 

The caretaker PM-designate said he proposes the composition of the Government on the basis of a mutual political agreement between the leaders of the largest political parliamentary parties in the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia, which was reached on December 4, 2023, when they agreed the dates for the holding of the regular presidential elections on April 24 and May 8, and the regular parliamentary elections on May 8, 2024, and a decision was made to establish a caretaker Government of the Republic of North Macedonia.

 

The priority of the caretaker Government is the holding of regular presidential and parliamentary elections in a fair and democratic manner, but Xhaferi said he and the Government he leads pledge to continue the adopted policies of the previous Government of Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski.

 

The Government, he said, has a mandate to realize the outlined priorities on the basis of the strategic commitments for the complete and accelerated integration and the country’s full-fledged membership within the European Union by 2030; for a successful functioning and contribution to the joint national, regional, and European collective security within the frameworks of the NATO Alliance; for efficient implementation of the successful policies for the promotion of the living standard of the citizens and the acceleration of growth and economic development through clear indicators in 2024, as well as complete continuation of the successful policies, instruments and decisions in support of the social, health, educational, cultural, civil needs and priorities of all citizens.

 

Xhaferi said the Government’s work will be founded on the principles of full compliance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of North Macedonia; preparation and successful implementation of regular, free, fair, democratic and competitive presidential and parliamentary elections in line with the highest standards of the European Union, OSCE/ODIHR, and the Council of Europe; continuity in the implementation of successful government policies and programmes in 2024; maintaining a high level of dialogue, transparency, accountability and inclusivity in its work and communication with all institutions and citizens; maintaining and promotion of North Macedonia’s strategic partnership with the European Union, the NATO Alliance, and the United States of America; and complete implementation of the principles and decisions of the Agreements important for interethnic relations, internal cohesion, stability and a successful Euro-Atlantic integration.

 

In order to remain consistent with these principles, according to Xhaferi, the Government, in the period until the election of the next political Government, will focus on specific strategic and national priorities.

 

In terms of the preparation and organization of free, fair, and democratic regular elections in direct, open and legal procedure and cooperation with Parliament, the State Election Commission, and the OSCE/ODIHR Mission, the European Union and the USA, the Government, he said, will implement all legal, institutional, organizational and operative prerequisites for the realization of the clear will of the citizens.

 

Regarding the membership within the European Union and the accelerated European integration, with the goal of full-fledged membership by 2030, the Government will continue to implement all processes and duties that arise from the launched accession negotiations. Among them are the responsibilities from the held bilateral screening meetings, the report of the European Commission from the screening on Cluster 1, as well as the other clusters which are in the process of being prepared. This includes the Roadmap for public administration reform and over the chapters concerning the rule of law with the Action Plan, and the drafting of a Roadmap for the functioning of the democratic institutions, up until their completion.

 

 

The Government, said Xhaferi, will remain focused on the activities arising from the preparation for a successful realization of the Growth Plan, which is a part of the European Commission’s enlargement package, and is an instrument aimed at boosting the socio-economic convergence of the Western Balkans with the European Union and the acceleration of EU reforms.

 

“We will dedicate ourselves to the key goal of economic policy aimed at accelerated and sustainable growth of the economy where I would single out: the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of at least 3% in 2024. Here I would add that the planned capital investments will continue during the election period as well, since they directly contribute to the economic growth and development,” said Xhaferi.

 

Xhaferi said the caretaker Government would continue with the policies that will enable: an increase of the minimum and average wage, of pensions; continuation of subsidies for the citizens and businesses especially in the field of the price of electricity and heating; the reduction of prices of food products and maintaining of the living standard of the citizens; a continuation of the policies for price stabilization and a restoration of the inflation rate to the previous moderate and low levels; complete cooperation with the institutions in the field of monetary policy; full adherence to fiscal discipline and complete fulfillment of the Budget for 2024. He said the success of the previous government policies would be confirmed, which is why, he said, his Government would not change the proven direction.

 

“We also do not plan a change of fiscal policy and the primary focus will be the complete coverage of taxpayers. We will continue to provide direct assistance to domestic and foreign companies, because they generate high added value and new jobs. The fight against the informal economy, and for complete transparency and accountability in the management of public finance will not cease, and will be even more decisive,” said Xhaferi.

 

We remain, he stressed, fully committed to energy transformation and a transformation of the country’s energy structure, making use of the rich potential of the Republic of North Macedonia. The continuation of the work on the launched investment projects in infrastructure and the completion of the majority of projects that will provide modern infrastructure and connectivity remain a priority of the Government, he said.

 

“The efforts to solve the issues of the citizens in all municipalities, regardless of who leads them, will receive the complete support of the central government. The policy of the development of agriculture with financial assistance aimed at creating conditions for sustainability will continue, as well as the payout of the highest subsidies of 100% for ‘green oil’ for farmers,” said Xhaferi.

 

 

In the field of social protection, the focus, said Xhaferi, remains on the principles of social justice, solidarity and support for vulnerable groups, protection of the security and health of citizens in the workplace, social security, fight against poverty, protection of children, support for the development of Roma, promotion of gender equality, prevention and protection from discrimination, as well as the construction and renovation of kindergartens and other buildings providing social protection to the population.

 

“Of course, we will ensure a timely payout of pensions and will fully implement the decision of the previous Government to provide financial assistance to pensioners with lower pensions, through financial grants and direct assistance for the pensioners. The complete and timely payout of social transfers to various categories of users will be in line with the determined Programmes,” pledged Xhaferi.

 

The Government, he said, will continue to implement policies for the development of quality education accessible to all, and invest in the creation of a modern and sustainable health system.

 

The Prime Minister designate said the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organized crime remain central and strategic policies of the Government.

 

“We will implement the initiated processes for the finalization of domestic legislation related to the institutional processes of our strategic partner, the United States of America, for the designation and sanctioning of individuals related to crime and corruption,” said Xhaferi.

 

According to Xhaferi, the recommendations of OSCE/ODIHR, in cooperation with Parliament, SEC, NGOs and other relevant institutions, will be the starting point for the completion of the entire process of implementation of amendments to the electoral legislation.

 

The Government, he said, will take all activities to ensure a complete functioning of the Ministry of Interior and complete contribution in the maintaining of public peace and order.

 

“Additionally, we will maintain and promote the partnership of the Republic of North Macedonia within the frameworks of the NATO Alliance and we will remain in alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union,” said Xhaferi.

 

 

The interethnic relations, the respect for civil, cultural, linguistic, religious and other differences, are a distinctive attribute of our shared society, he said, and the model of one society for all.

 

“Knowing the importance of maintaining the freedom of the press, with a special emphasis on pre-electoral and electoral campaign, we will insist, through dialogue and cooperation, on compliance with the highest European standards for professional, unbiased, and subjective reporting and informing during the election process, by following the recommendations of OSCE/ODIHR,” said Xhaferi.

 

In his speech, Xhaferi voiced gratitude for the trust he has been given, “firstly,” he said, “to the leader of the Democratic Union for Integration, Ali Ahmeti, the President of the country, Stevo Pendarovski, and the lawmakers in Parliament”.

 

Photo: MIA