The 2015 Budget, which was passed at a Government session late on Saturday, will provide higher salaries in the public sector, higher pensions and welfare.

Vice Premier and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski presented the 2015 draft-budget at Sunday's press conference.

According to him, public administration salaries, pensions and welfare would rise by about 5 percent next year.

"The 2015 Budget aims to meet the Government's priorities - support to economy and the private sector through capital investments, but also help the citizens' standard", said Stavreski.

He stressed the draft-budget resulted from analyses of trends in the European economy and achievements of Macedonia's economy in 2014.

"The European economy showed negative signs, but Macedonia has registered a 4.3-percent growth in Q2. We analysed both trends, seeing that Macedonia can allow a rise of salaries, pensions and welfare, thus improving the citizens' standard", added Stavreski.

GDP growth is projected at 4 percent, inflation at 2%, and deficit at 3.5%.

Total revenues are projected at MD 163,28 billion (EUR 2,65 billion), while expenditures at MKD 181,77 billion (EUR 2,95 billion).

Agriculture subsidies amount to EUR 140 million, whereas capital investments EUR 344 million.

FinMin Stavreski said the investment cycle in road and railway infrastructure would resume in 2015 with EUR 55 million and EUR 21 million respectively.

Other investments include the gas distribution network (EUR 4,2 million), construction of clinical centers (EUR 8,6 million), construction and overhaul of elementary and secondary schools (EUR 9,7 million), construction and equipping of technological-industrial development zones (EUR 8,7 million).

The draft-budget will be submitted to the Parliament on Monday.