Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani told MIA that he believes the Government is handling the growing economic crisis and shortages well. Macedonia faced fuel lines yesterday evening, and many stores were partially empty as the end of a price freeze orded prompted retailers to pull products until new, higher prices can be set.

I think that the Government showed capacity to handle the social consequences of the crises. We saw that in the pandemic, we were among the most pro-active in softening the fallout. After the healthcare crisis, it is certain that the war crisis in Ukraine will have consequences in the energy sector. But there is no room for panic, Osmani said.

He pointed to the plan to build a new gas pipeline to Greece that would reduce Macedonia’s full reliance on Russian gas.