The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs, Bojan Maricik today visited the municipality of Valandovo where he had a working meeting with the mayor of the municipality, Pero Kostadinov, after which they toured institutions that have implemented projects funded through European funds and programs.

Deputy Prime Minister Maricic and Mayor Kostadinov discussed the possibilities for financing local socio-economic development projects within the INTERREG IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programs of the Republic of North Macedonia with the Republic of Greece and the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as other EU-funded programs, such as Erasmus +. Mayor Kostadinov presented the successfully implemented projects at the municipal level, as well as the next activities that are planned, which are a good basis for local development, but also for the development of the Southeast planning region.

After the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Maricik visited the successfully implemented project in the kindergarten "Kalinka" funded by cross-border cooperation with Greece, which in addition to contributing to energy efficiency and environmental protection, also contributes to maintaining good neighbourly relations. In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Maricik visited the high school "Goce Delcev", where several successful projects have been implemented. Within the Erasmus + program they used the opportunities for training and exchange of experiences with peers from Europe in the field of organic production, which encourages and develops the entrepreneurial spirit of young people.

- I am happy with the commitment and the pace of work of Mayor Kostadinov in the implementation of projects funded by IPA funds. I want to encourage you in the future to work even more intensively in the implementation of IPA projects, especially given that there will be a period of intensified cross-border cooperation and new partnerships. It shows that the Republic of North Macedonia is resolutely and accelerated on the European path, and through such projects we see Europe in action at the local level, said Deputy Prime Minister Maricik.

The Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs pointed out that what the Government is doing in terms of European integration and overall reforms in the country are aimed at citizens and local governments to truly feel the concrete benefits of the European integration process and therefore dedicate and invest energy for more efficient use of IPA funds.

"In the forthcoming period, as a National IPA Coordinator, I will first of all dedicate myself to promoting projects implemented with IPA support in order to encourage and intensify the use of these funds at the local level," Maricik said, adding that the Government's vision is to achieve European standards in local communities and improve the living conditions of citizens.