Skopje, 17 September 2026 (MIA) - Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska met Thursday with Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) Vice-Governor Tomáš Boček, discussing implementation of ongoing projects and future cooperation.

Participants in the meeting pointed out that the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) is the country's long-standing and important partner in the implementation of projects aimed at improving education, social infrastructure and supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Cooperation focuses on implementation of projects that bring concrete benefits to citizens and contribute to economic development.

"We continue to strengthen our partnership with CEB by backing projects that contribute to better public services, higher quality education and economic development," Minister Dimitrieska Kochoska stressed.

Active in the country since 1997, the CEB has backed 10 major public sector projects through approved loans totaling EUR 314 million, and has provided significant support in terms of investment grants and technical assistance grants for project preparation. Support is aimed at social infrastructure and social integration, including health, education, justice and social housing, as well as support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

According to the Ministry of Finance, interlocutors also tackled implementation of ongoing projects, including additional financing with loans and grants in a total amount of EUR 24.1 million for construction, supervision and equipping of 30 sports halls in primary schools, as well as reconstruction of primary and secondary schools. This support is a continuation of a successfully implemented project under which 70 sports facilities in primary schools were built and equipped, and 90 primary and secondary schools were reconstructed.

Cooperation with CEB also includes a credit line of EUR 50 million for job creation in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, implemented through the Development Bank.

The meeting particularly highlighted projects being prepared for the coming period, including a project to complete construction works at the Faculty of Information Sciences and Computer Engineering (FINKI) and the Faculty of Physical Education, Sports and Health.

A basic digital infrastructure project is also in the focus of future cooperation. The project is aimed at promoting digital infrastructure and supporting the digital transformation process.

Participants in the meeting expressed readiness to continue and deepen the cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and CEB, with a focus on efficient implementation of ongoing projects and providing support for new investments of importance for the country's economic and social development.

Photo: Ministry of Finance