Zoran Stavreski has resigned from his duty as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in the Government of Macedonia due to health issues.
"The health issues which I have been facing with and the doctors' advice, all point to the necessity of longer treatment, due to which I will not be able to perform my duty as Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister in the Government of the Republic of Macedonia," read Zoran Stavreski's resignation letter.
Stavreski has been member of the Government led by VMRO-DPMNE since 2006, as vice president in charge of the economic affairs, and since 2009 - as Minister of Finance. With his work and the results he has achieved, he will be remembered as one of the most successful finance ministers, who has made significant achievements and reforms, placing the country on the map of international economic developments and processes.
During Stavreski's mandate, the country has achieved some significant and striking results in the key spheres of economy, marked a decrease in unemployment and support of the domestic economy, attracted foreign investments, as well as a raise in life standards of citizens.
"I have been honored to be a part of this economic team, which has worked for Macedonia with great passion, enthusiasm and responsibility, and has achieved results which have been felt by many citizens, starting with the serious unemployment drop, the significantly improved business-climate, high growths of the economy and export, attracting many investors and leading macroeconomic and finance policies. All of this has been achieved in some exceptionally difficult years of global financial crisis, and almost two years of domestic political crisis," Stavreski said.
In his resignation he thanked the fruitful and professional cooperation with the former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who has been in the Government team for 9 years.
"I have had great support from him, and we cooperated very well. We have achieved great economic results for Macedonia as never before, recognized by most significant international finance institutions, pointed Zoran Stavreski.
He also expresses gratitude to Prime Minister Emil Dimitriev and to other members of the Government for their cooperation and in particular for functioning well in the midst of a deep political crisis at home, and to the private sector, the National Bank of Macedonia and international institutions for having established excellent ties and cooperation.
“The Government is expressing profound gratitude to Deputy PM Stavreski for his work, engagement and contribution to implementing government-run measures, programs and policies… We wish him, first and foremost, good health and strength to overcome the challenges he is faced with,” Government spokesman Aleksandar Gjorgiev has stated commenting Stavreski’s resignation.
Furthermore, PM Dimitriev will to appoint Kiril Minovski, the incumbent director of the Public Revenue Office, as new finance minister.
PM Dimitriev will dismiss deputy foreign minister Dragana Kiprijanovska and appoint Ilija Isajlovski to the post. He is a career diplomat currently serving as Macedonia’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China.
Macedonia’s Parliament is expected on Wednesday to debate and verify the resignations after which the new minister of finance and deputy minister of foreign affairs will be appointed.