As positive changes are happening in Macedonia and the government is committed to implementing reforms deemed necessary to join the European Union, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has upheld the decision of the Swedish government to renew the bilateral development cooperation in 2018-2020.
This was stated Monday by Sida's director general Carin Jämtin at the signing of the Development Cooperation Agreement and the Agreement on General Terms for Development Cooperation between Macedonia and Sweden. On behalf of Macedonia, the document was signed by Deputy PM in charge of European affairs.
Financial aid in the next four years is estimated at €9 million.
Jämtin said cooperation would be designed to improve market economy, strengthen democracy, including rule of law, and improve the environment and curb climate changes.
According to her, in addition to environment protection and gender equality, good governance, human rights, fight against corruption are key priorities of our cooperation.
Deputy PM Osmani called today's event 'a very important day' in Macedonia-Sweden relations. "Bilateral cooperation is being restored for the first time since 2012."
"Bilateral assistance is of double importance for Macedonia. Firstly, it send a political message regarding the efforts of our government to get Macedonia back on the Euro-Atlantic agenda and to prepare our country to integrate into the EU," stated Osmani.
Secondly, he added, the financial assistance of €9 million is also of great significance, because in the coming years it will provide significant support to reforms involving Macedonia's economic integration and incorporation into the common market, improvement of human rights, etc.
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