Skopje, 24 March 2026 (MIA) — Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called for innovation and resilience in the financial sector during a central banking conference Tuesday, highlighting that the government and the National Bank need to work together to deal with global economic challenges.

According to Mickoski, digitization and new "fintech" solutions are key to making the financial system faster and more inclusive. He noted that central banks were encouraging these new technologies as well as focusing on maintaining stability and meeting EU criteria.

He said the state was actively pursuing the same goal.

"We are building a stable and resilient financial system aligned with European standards. Our policy is clear: strong institutions, transparency and accountability. In cooperation with the National Bank and all relevant institutions, we are working to improve the regulatory framework, strengthen supervision and support digital transformation," Mickoski told attendees at the conference, titled "Central Banking Amid Persistent Global Shifts: Fostering Stability, Innovation and Resilience."

The prime minister listed recent government actions taken to protect citizens from rising costs, including cutting VAT on gas to lower price pressures on households and releasing state fuel oil reserves to keep electricity prices and supply stable.

Mickoski warned that global conflicts, such as the one in the Middle East, have disrupted energy markets and supply chains, leading to higher inflation and production costs. He said that central banks now faced a "dual responsibility" to control inflation while ensuring there is enough liquidity to support the economy.

To weather these shocks, Mickoski said the country needs to diversify its economy and maintain public trust. He stressed that success depends on close coordination between the government, the National Bank and international partners.

"Global challenges require common responses. Only through cooperation can we build a system that is stable, innovative and ready for the future," he said.

“Stability is the foundation, innovation is the driver and resilience is the guarantee of the future,” he added. mr/