Mickoski announces new fuel excise tax cuts starting next week

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, stressed today that the executive remains committed to implementing measures aimed at improving citizens’ living standards through fuel pricing policies.

Referring to the escalation of military operations between the US and Iran in the Persian Gulf and the repeated blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, he acknowledged that these developments create new uncertainties for the oil market.

“We are prepared for these scenarios. The state of emergency is valid until July 20. I believe the premises are now in place to apply another excise duty cut on Monday for both unleaded gasoline and diesel,” Mickoski stated.

He explained that they must first wait for the stock markets to close today, followed by an analysis of the trends over the first 15 days.

“We remain faithful to this strategy. We currently have the most favorable fuel prices, without a doubt. Someone might object: ‘But our incomes are at this level, while in Germany they are completely different.’ Yet the reality is that the value of fuel is dictated by international markets. We are supplied from the same source as Germany. We do not have an oil well in our backyard to fuel our vehicles,” the head of government added.

Furthermore, Mickoski raised the question of how the huge gap with neighboring countries can be explained.

“Why does it cost double there? Why is it 70 percent more expensive in Albania? Why is it almost double in Greece? Why is it 50 percent more expensive in Serbia? These are the concrete results of this Government’s policies aimed at raising the standard of living for citizens,” Mickoski concluded.