The State Statistical Office announced that the cost-of-living index, which is used to measure inflation, rose by 0.1% in July compared with June this year.

The most significant increase, of 4.4%, was recorded in the transport sector. Price increases were also registered in recreation and culture, housing, and hospitality services.

On the other hand, food and non-alcoholic beverages recorded the largest decrease, of 1.1%, while furnishings and household equipment also declined.

Compared with the same period a year earlier, the cost of living in July was 2.3% higher, while retail prices rose by 1.8%.

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According to him, the country is going through an extremely difficult period. He stressed that there are currently two wars underway, which he described as serious. Mickoski added that, based on the latest information he has received, the war in the Persian Gulf is beginning to escalate again, while the war in Ukraine is also continuing. In this situation, he said, the main challenge remains ensuring timely and sufficient energy supplies for citizens and businesses.

Mickoski also said that, statistically, the country has the lowest fuel prices. He acknowledged that there may be voices linking this to wage levels and the price of petrol and diesel, but underlined that this is a stock market product. According to him, this depends neither on business logic nor on government policies, since it is a product of the stock market, where everyone is supplied from the same share market. He added that what is essential is how the situation is managed from that moment until it is used by citizens, stressing that this has been the case for decades.

Speaking about political opponents, he said he would leave that question to those who, according to him, continue to live in a political swamp, such as the opposition and certain structures that in Bitola try to shape public opinion through audiences. He added that, when they are given the opportunity to do something, unfortunately they not only fail to act, but also move backward. For this reason, according to Mickoski, they will always remain political marginals.

As for inflation, Mickoski said it is one of the segments that emerges in such challenging periods. He stressed that in June the country achieved the lowest inflation level compared with all the countries in the region. He also said he was particularly satisfied that food inflation is around 2.5%, for shoes and clothing around 2.1%, that is, below 3%. On the other hand, he clarified that tobacco, tobacco products and alcohol, as well as transport services due to high fuel prices, contribute up to 3.4%, Mickoski said.

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