Awarded the highest festival awards at the 65th Poetry Struggle Dinner

The Ministry of Transport has announced the initiation of its most significant reform in recent years, focusing on modernizing and expanding the railway system. This includes constructing new tracks, purchasing new locomotives, and enhancing passenger services. The project, which involves a one-million-euro agreement, aims to support the restructuring of MŽ Transport into a functional enterprise. Vice Prime Minister NIKOLOSKI emphasized that this initiative aligns with the government's priority of upgrading and modernizing the railway infrastructure. He highlighted that legal changes were implemented to preserve the transport company, following previous decisions by the previous administration that led to the closure of the railway network. Initial results of the reforms have already been observed, with positive figures recorded in the first four months of the year, including increased passenger numbers and notable growth in cargo transportation.

The reform process also includes collaboration with the European Union as part of the EU Growth Plan. A grant from the World Bank was signed today, marking the beginning of a major transformation project. This project will involve the purchase of at least five electric locomotives, significantly impacting the development of freight transportation. Additionally, the government is working with another financial institution to secure the acquisition of these locomotives. In terms of large investments, the construction of the first line of the urban train is nearing completion, while tenders for the second line from Ilinca to Nova Railway Station and the third line from Georgi Petrov to Nova Railway Station are expected to be launched this year. These lines are projected to be completed by the end of 2027 or early 2028.

Furthermore, the government is advancing plans for the Western part of Corridor 8, which includes routes such as Skopje–Jegunovce–Tetovo–Gostivar, Gostivar–Kichevo, and Kichevo–Ohrid, Struga, and connections to Albania. With the implementation of high-speed rail on Corridor 10, which is currently being finalized, there is a clear vision for a comprehensive transformation of the railway system. NIKOLOSKI expressed gratitude to the World Bank for providing the grant funds and for continued support towards Macedonia’s development.

In parallel, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has presented significant achievements over the past two years, emphasizing the stabilization of cultural and tourism sectors through systemic reforms and substantial investments. Minister ZORAN LJUTKOV noted that the ministry focused on long-term strategies rather than short-term solutions, implementing strategic planning, legal reforms, financial stability, and capital investments. After taking over leadership in 2024, the ministry inherited a debt of 273 million denars due to wages in national and local institutions, along with an institutional system lacking clear strategic direction. Through the first budget rebalancing, resources were allocated to service inherited obligations, additional 71 million denars for program activities, and over 78 million denars for infrastructure projects in municipalities.

Currently, the National Strategy for Cultural Development, the National Strategy for Cultural Heritage, and the National Strategy for Tourism Development are in final stages. Parallel efforts include revising multiple systemic laws related to culture, cultural heritage, film activities, and intellectual property rights. A new model of delegated budgets in national institutions has been introduced, applied annually in 28 institutions, offering greater autonomy, better planning, and more efficient management of public funds. Notably, funding for the annual cultural program has increased from 768 million denars in 2023 to 1 billion and 71 million denars in 2026, representing a 40% increase. Simultaneously, revenue from national institutions has risen by over 150% compared to 2023.

Over the past two years, 320 new jobs and 35 improvements have been achieved within national institutions. An open mobility competition has been established, allowing Macedonian cultural workers to gain experience in prestigious academies and cultural institutions abroad. After seven years, the competition for creative industries has been revived, supporting 108 projects over two years, and initiating a national mapping of creative industries as a basis for the first national strategy in this field. After nearly a decade, the inventory of literary works has been renewed, with 37 significant Macedonian works purchased for a total value of 6.6 million denars.

In the area of film activities, the budget of the Film Agency has increased from 100 million denars in 2024 to 187 million denars in 2026, a 87% increase. Legal amendments will provide additional funds from lottery revenues for domestic film production. Minister LJUTKOV informed that capital investment funds have increased from 230 million denars in 2023 to 485 million denars in 2026, a rise of over 110%. Current projects under way or nearing completion include the Theatre in Stip, reconstruction of the "Partizan" cinema in Bitola, new spaces for the Jazz Orchestra, reconstruction of the Macedonian National Theatre and Universal Hall, and numerous other cultural sites throughout the country.

Significant efforts have also been made to protect cultural heritage through investments in archaeological sites, reconstruction of cultural monuments, continuation of the restoration project of the Svetiklimentov University of Plaošnik, and establishment of a national digital register of cultural heritage. Regarding international cooperation, LJUTKOV pointed out that funds for this purpose have increased by 40%, enabling stronger international affirmation and presentation of Macedonian culture. Macedonian national cultural heritage has gained recognition internationally, contributing to the country's global standing in the cultural sector.