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Skopje – Prime Minister Christian Mitskoski met today with the Vice President of the European Investment Bank, Robert De Groot, and after the meeting, an Agreement was signed to open an EIB office in Skopje. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski at the joint press conference with De Groot in the Government after the signing of the document emphasized that this act represents a significant step in deepening ties with the European Union and enhancing partnership with European institutions, highlighting that since independence to date, the EIB has invested over 1.6 billion euros in key sectors for the stable development of the country.
– To my great satisfaction, today in the Government, together with the Prime Minister Christian Mitskoski and the Vice President of the European Investment Bank, Mr. Robert De Groot, we held a meeting and signed an Agreement to open an EIB office in Skopje – an act that represents a significant step in deepening ties with the European Union and enhancing partnership with European institutions. This is a strong confirmation of the trust that this organization and the European Union have in our country and its economic potential. Since our independence to date, the EIB has invested over 1.6 billion euros in key sectors for the stable development of the country – infrastructure, energy, transport, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as improving the standard of living through the modernization of public services, Mucunski emphasized.
The Minister pointed out that the opening of this office will enable closer coordination, more efficient implementation of projects, and even greater access to technical and financial support that these European institutions offer.
– From today, the EIB will be even closer to state institutions, local self-government, and Macedonian companies – providing them support for the realization of their development investments and projects. The closer presence of the EIB represents a clear signal that our country is moving towards a modern, European, and competitive economy, open to investments and oriented towards long-term and sustainable growth. The new phase of cooperation that we are entering today coincides with the strategic goals of the Government, accelerating economic transformation, supporting the green transition, integration into the European economic and financial space, and adopting European successful practices and standards. Our commitment remains clear, to create conditions for stable growth, new investments, increased competitiveness, and better living conditions for citizens, said Mucunski.
De Groot emphasized that it is a great honor to be in a country where the EIB has been active for decades, starting with financing many years ago for the railways, and added that today they celebrate a new milestone, which is the signing of an Agreement with the host country.
– This formal recognition of the status of the EIB in North Macedonia will allow us to deepen the connection, but also for our portfolio to grow in accordance with the priorities of the Government. As part of Team Europe and the new growth plan of the EC, we are ready to support our Macedonian partners in delivering projects that will have a strong impact and promote sustainable development, connectivity, green transition, as well as improved health and education services for the benefit of citizens. I am confident that together we can build a stronger and more resilient future for North Macedonia and help on your path to EU accession, added De Groot. (November 12, 2025)