Today, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski had a meeting with the Minister of Economy, Besar Durmishi, regarding the announced autumn basket, which should reduce the prices of basic products. At the same time, as Mickoski said, the minister was told to find the most favorable solution for both merchants and consumers.

The dilemma that has been going on these days is whether to limit the prices of the products or, on the other hand, to limit the margin. It was also announced that the list of products will be ready and that it will be presented at tomorrow's session of the Government. But Mickoski now says that he doesn't have to argue today, it could be next week as well.

- We are ready to talk, we don't want to do anything by force, but to find a common solution. I know that in the past things were done by force. We intend to talk to all stakeholders and together we will do something good for the country. We don't want traders and producers to be frustrated because of the attitude of the government - Mickoski said today in response to a journalist's question before the meeting with the German Chamber of Commerce.

According to him, there is still room to negotiate the autumn basket, that is, it is not too late, because autumn has not yet arrived.

He has repeatedly repeated in the past that he is against freezing prices. Now, however, he reiterates and says that although he is always in favor of a market economy, sometimes he has to act offensively.

- When you see the import prices and when you see how the market is cut with a surgical knife, how there are monopolies and even duopolies in terms of price formation, then you have to act. No one is allowed to earn on the backs of the citizens - said Mickoski.

However, he also gave no guarantee that the long-awaited Unfair Trade Practices Act, which is due to come into effect on September 28, will work. On the contrary, he announced a possible delay.

- I would not say that prices will decrease by 20 percent with this law. Manufacturers say so, retailers say otherwise. Here, this morning I also had a conversation with the president of the Chamber of Commerce. We receive various letters from the Chamber. Let them comply and let them tell us what to do - should the Government persist in its position on the application of the Law or should we postpone it - said Mickoski.

With this law, rebates and additional costs are at play, which should be limited. While the margin is a percentage that merchants add to the purchase price as their earnings, a rebate is a reduction in the selling price of a particular product or service, which the seller grants to the buyer. According to the statements of the Minister of Economy, Besar Durmishi, during the control, agreed discounts of 40 percent were determined. This law was supposed to abolish such unfair trade practices. However, Mickoski announced a possible postponement of the Law that was adopted in March and which provides the opportunity within six months, ie until September 28, to harmonize the contracts between manufacturers and traders.