The situation at this moment is stable, we have a strategy and citizens and businesses should not be worried and afraid because there are secured quantities of oil and derivatives and at this moment there is no need for any restrictions, said Macedonian Prime Minister HristijanMickoski at a press conference at which he announced that by a decision of an extraordinary session of the Government, excise duties on diesel and unleaded gasoline have been cut and the duration of the reduced VAT from 18 to 10 percent for fuels is extended until the end of the crisis.
PM Mickoski pointed out that consumption last week reached a record 2 million liters per day (about 75 percent diesel and about 25 percent unleaded gasoline) and that the pressure is fierce on the northern, western and southern borders, where consumption at certain gas stations has tripled because citizens from other countries come to fill their tanks.
“At this moment, there is no need for any restrictions because in conversations with traders and suppliers, I received assurances that there is no danger of domestic consumers being endangered, although consumption has increased from 1.5 million to 2 million liters per day,” said Mickoski.
Asked whether increased pressure on our gas stations from foreign citizens is expected, the PM responded that additional pressure is expected from Serbia when the two-week regulated period ends there before Easter, as well as from what the prices on the stock exchanges will be from Tuesday. He pointed out that several airports from neighboring countries get their kerosene from Macedonia, such as the airport in Prishtina, which is completely supplied with kerosene from Macedonia.
