Skopje, 8 July 2026   

The independence of the central bank is a key prerequisite for both price and financial system stability, as well as for effective monetary policy conduct. It is an essential safeguard against external effects, a cornerstone for maintaining macroeconomic stability, especially amid global economic challenges and EU integration process. 

In this context, a TAIEX (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange) peer review mission initiated by the European Commission is taking place in Skopje on 7-8 July 2026, dedicated to assessing and strengthening the independence of the National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia.  TAIEX is an instrument of the European Commission that provides expert support and exchange of experience by drawing on the expertise of the public sector from all 27 Member States in order to promote the alignment with the EU acquis and the best practices in the EU accession countries.

The mission is composed of Cees Ullersma, Head of the International Cooperation at De Nederlandsche Bank, Willem Bovenschen, Senior Counsel in the Legal Department at De Nederlandsche Bank, and Hans Weenink, Senior Council on central banking.

As part of the mission, the Governor Trajko Slaveski and Vice governors Ana Mitreska, Igor Velickovski and Fadil Bajrami, held a meeting with the expert delegation, to discuss issues related to institutional and financial independence of the National Bank, i.e. the relationship with the Government and the Parliament, the legal framework guaranteeing its independence, as well as the public perception of the Bank’s role and effectiveness.  Special emphasis was placed on the alignment with the EU acquis, as well as further strengthening of the institutional safeguards in the context of EU integration process.

The National Bank emphasized its continuous commitment to improve transparency and accountability, with the aim of further strengthening public confidence and the trust of all stakeholders.