Macedonia has ‘potential’ for great commercial investment for Malta - PM

Macedonia is a country with big possibilities for Malta, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Wednesday during his first state visit to Macedonia.

Addressing a press conference, Muscat and Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said that commercial opportunities between the two countries are set to be explored in 2019 by visiting trade delegations from both countries.

Muscat said that Macedonia was the key that would open up Malta to more opportunities in the Balkans. On the other hand, Malta would offer Macedonia a foothold in the Mediterranean.

Zaev also said that he saw a lot of potential in ties between the two countries, while also listing the reforms being carried out by Macedonia to ensure it is prepared for European Union membership. In this regard, Muscat offered assistance, even on a technical level.

Representatives from Steward Health were also present for the visit as Macedonia is interested in exploring the public-private partnership model that this currently being adopted by the Maltese health sector.

About 5,000 people from Macedonia were currently working in Malta, Muscat said. He also said he was looking forward to signing an agreement with Macedonia to ensure good working conditions for these people in order for them not to be taken advantage of and so that they would not take jobs away from the Maltese by accepting worse conditions.