English
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski stated that, based on information received from traders of oil and petroleum products, no shortage of diesel fuel is expected for the remainder of the year. Furthermore, according to what they conveyed to him in private conversations, they do not anticipate any supply issues for the coming year either. The Prime Minister noted that discussions have also been held with the management of OKTA regarding the possibility of restarting operations at the Skopje refinery and producing diesel fuel from crude oil—a prospect made more viable now that the refinery is connected to the port of Solun (Thessaloniki) via a restored pipeline. He emphasized that the state remains committed to a policy of maintaining the lowest possible fuel prices, with the aim of protecting the living standards of its citizens.
“Based on the feedback I have received from traders, we need not fear any shortages for the rest of the year. In fact, it was also confirmed to us—unofficially, in private discussions—that they foresee no issues for the coming year either,” Mickoski said during a press conference at the Government, responding to a journalist’s question following the signing of an agreement for a new investment by the company “Kromberg & Schubert.”
He underscored that this represents a monumental global challenge—an issue he noted he has been speaking about for several months now. As a state, we maintain a policy of keeping fuel prices at the lowest possible level—specifically regarding diesel, as well as 95 and 98-octane unleaded gasoline. Currently, our prices are half a euro per liter lower than those of almost all our neighbors. While this naturally brings certain challenges and concerns, we consider the living standards of our citizens to be paramount; our goal is to protect them as much as we possibly can. We are doing this now, and we will continue to act in this manner—emphasized Mickoski, in response to a question regarding warnings from the International Energy Agency about a potential global shortage of diesel fuel.
He noted that no country in the world—Macedonia included—could sustain itself for more than three months without a fresh supply of fuel.
“Importantly, we held a meeting with the major traders of petroleum products and fuels, including the management of OKTA. We tasked them with re-examining the possibility of restarting the production process at the OKTA refinery. Given that the product pipeline is now operational—physically connecting the refinery to the Port of Thessaloniki—it is possible to transport crude oil to the refinery, process it there, and use it to produce diesel fuel,” the Prime Minister stated.