Strategic partnership with the EIB for European investments in the environment
Skopje – The Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning, Muamet Hodza, held a working meeting today with Bjorn Gabriel, Head of the Office of the European Investment Bank (EIB) in North Macedonia, at which the two discussed the continuation of the existing cooperation with a special focus on the implementation of strategic projects in the field of environment and water infrastructure.
As reported by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, Minister Hodza emphasized the importance of the continuous support from the EIB in the implementation of projects that have a direct impact on improving the quality of life of citizens and protecting the environment.
Bjorn, for his part, it is added, stressed that the European Investment Bank, as a bank owned by the member states of the European Union and as the largest multilateral financial institution, supports sustainable projects that contribute to achieving the strategic goals of the EU, with a special focus on Europe.
The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning and the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia have signed two loan agreements with the EIB, namely 68 million euros for the project “Construction of a Wastewater Treatment Plant for the City of Skopje” and 50 million euros for the project “Improvement of Water Infrastructure in Municipalities,” which covers 80 municipalities in the country. In addition to the loans, the EIB also provides grants for technical assistance, and within the framework of the project for the wastewater treatment plant in Skopje, 69 million euros in grants have been secured from the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), which are administered through the EIB as the lead bank of the project.
-Bjorn once again confirmed the EIB’s commitment to full support in the implementation of the projects, emphasizing the close cooperation with the project teams, regular participation in coordination meetings and the role of the EIB as a bridge between the institutions of the European Union and the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia. Both sides agreed to continue with intensive cooperation in order to successfully implement the priority projects in the field of environment, the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning stated. (21 January 2026)
