Skopje, 28 September 2002

Press release of the NBRM

A delegation of the Republic of Macedonia under the leadership of the Governor of the National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Ljube Trpeski, which has been attending the IMF and the World Bank Annual Meeting, had a meeting with Mr. Johannes Lynn, Director of the World Bank European Department, today, September 28, 2002.The determination of the World Bank to be a partner of the Republic of Macedonia in the next four-year period in implementing the reform activities necessary for inducing the economic growth was confirmed at the meeting. Mr. Lynn expressed his satisfaction that the Republic of Macedonia preserved its macroeconomic stability, as well as for the progress in the reforms of the banking system. Thus, the World Bank management expressed its willingness, in the first half of the coming year, to finish the document for the World Bank Long-term Strategy for Cooperation with the Republic of Macedonia in the next four years. It will define the reform activities which are to be achieved by the Government in cooperation with the World Bank in the forthcoming period. Governor Trpeski especially underlined that the engagement of the World Bank has to be aimed at reducing the unemployment, as one of the top economic problems the Republic of Macedonia is facing. The Director of the World Bank European Department expressed his willingness to visit the Republic of Macedonia in the spring, next year.

The Delegation of the Republic of Macedonia, also had a meeting with the new Minister of Development of the Netherlands, Ms. Van Ardenne. Governor Trpeski expressed his gratitude for the generous support the Netherlands has been giving to the Republic of Macedonia in both economy and finance, and emphasized the need for continuation of such a cooperation in the future. The Minister of Development, Ms. Ardenne, expressed her readiness for further cooperation between the Netherlands and Macedonia, and promised that the Republic of Macedonia will remain among the countries of a top priority, which the Netherlands will assist in the field of both the economy and the finance.

Yesterday, September 27, the delegation of the Republic of Macedonia attended the meeting of the Dutch Constituency, the Republic of Macedonia is a member of, and through which it has been introduced into the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The reports that the Governors of the Dutch Central Bank and the Minister of Finance of the Netherlands should submit at the meetings of the IMF International Monetary and Financial Committee and the World Bank Development Committee were considered and adopted. Furthermore, the new executives who will represent the Dutch Constituency in the IMF and the World Bank, Mr. Kremers and Mr. Melkert were introduced, while profound gratitude was expressed to the previous executives Mr. Wijnholds and Mr. Stek for their engagement and contribution towards the affirmation of the interests of the Constituency member-states, during their term.

At the end, those attending the meeting accepted and welcomed the proposal of the Governor Trpeski, the Republic of Macedonia to host the next annual meeting of the Constituency that is to be held in March, 2003.

Washington, D.C.

Governors’ Office