To create strong, modern and effective state institutions which will be fully capable of addressing their role in society and leading the development of our country is one of the main objectives and priorities of the Macedonian Government.

This was stated Tuesday by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski at a ground-breaking ceremony for new premises of the State Audit Office and the Geological Institute.

The 7,000 square meter building is to be consisted of a basement, ground floor and six stories. The project worth seven million euros is expected to be completed in two years' time.

"For years, many state institutions had moved from one place to another working in improvised and inadequate conditions as the state and its citizens were setting aside a huge amount of money for rent of premises. No one was getting anything... the state was losing, the institutions and the citizens were losing and the whole process of modernization of state institutions was stalled," stated PM Gruevski.

Consequently, he added, the Government has begun to thoroughly and systematically settle this serious issue. "In the past few years, several buildings have been constructed, including the new Criminal Court, the Public Prosecutor's Office, Basic and Appellate Court in Gostivar, the ministries of foreign affairs and agriculture, etc...

"These projects speak volumes about our intentions to solve the issues of the state institutions step by step and to leave behind major deeds for many generations of citizens," Gruevski noted.

The PM added that the premises would also be 'a unique architectural construction instilling fresh aesthetic beauty in the Macedonian capital.'