Starting from this March the pensions in Macedonia are to be higher for Denar 600 (about EUR 10). Budget funds of Denar 1,8 billion have been earmarked for this purpose.

The raise has been agreed Tuesday at a meeting of representatives of the Ministries of Finance, Labor and Social Policy and Association of Retired Persons.

This measure makes Macedonia the only country in the region and Europe that has succeeded in such difficult times to not only protect the retired persons, but also to raise the pensions for a solid amount considering the state’s financial power, Vice-Premier and FinMin Zoran Stavreski said.

In addition, the Government has been implementing other measures to help the retired persons to improve their living standard, such as reduced medicine prices, free health care and spa recreation for those with lower pensions, Stavreski said.