Nikoloski calls for fair EU grant competition and Austrian visas

At the Macedonian-Austrian Business Forum held at the Economic Chamber of Macedonia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski addressed concerns regarding unfair competition and visa requirements.

Nikoloski criticized the current allocation of European Union grants, questioning how taxpayer funds intended for EU projects are being awarded to companies from non-EU countries. He noted that while Macedonian taxpayers cover the repayment of loans and interest, they face unfair competition in projects such as the Growth Plan due to these grant distributions.

Additionally, the Minister emphasized the urgent need for an agreement with Austria to provide long-term visas for Macedonian transport companies. He stated that despite eight months of dialogue, no significant progress has been made regarding this issue, which remains critical for economic cooperation between the two nations.