Government in talks with OKTA for 2‑denar diesel discount
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski says an agreement is close as Parliament extends the supply emergency to 20 April 2027.
The Government of North Macedonia is in talks with fuel supplier OKTA over an additional discount of two denars per litre on diesel, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said on 19 October 2026, while Parliament extended the state of emergency linked to oil and fuel supply risks until 20 April 2027.
Negotiations and assurances
Speaking during a visit to the municipality of Chesinovo-Obleshevo, Mickoski said discussions with the supplier are ongoing and an agreement appears close.
“Negotiations with supplier OKTA are ongoing for an additional discount. I think we are close to reaching a solution to have at least a two-denar per litre reduction in the price of diesel,” Mickoski said.
The prime minister also defended the Government’s approach to fuel pricing, saying international market movements play a role but stressing that domestic policy keeps tax burdens lower than in other European countries.
“Global stock market trends affect us. But the fact is that the Government, unlike all governments in Europe, intervenes least in VAT and excise, and therefore citizens today have the lowest prices when it comes to diesel and unleaded petrol. We will continue with that policy,” Mickoski said.
Mickoski added that the pipeline connecting the port of Thessaloniki with the country’s refinery is under pressure but full, and that authorities expect sufficient fuel volumes until the end of the year and into the following year.
“The pipeline that connects the port of Thessaloniki with our refinery is under pressure and is full, so there will be sufficient quantities of fuel for citizens. We will continue with this policy to protect citizens' living standards as much as we can,” Mickoski stressed.
During the 126th plenary session on 19 October 2026, Parliament decided to prolong the state of emergency related to potential disruptions in oil and petroleum product supplies for an additional six months; the measure will be in force until 20 April 2027. Mickoski also rejected speculation about any planned electricity price increases before year-end.
He cited Eurostat data showing that food and non-alcoholic beverage prices in North Macedonia are 25 percent below the average of 36 European countries, and said the Government is taking steps to stabilise inflation, which he characterised as among the lowest in the region.
Photo: press material from the event
