Fatmir Besimi

Fatmir Besimi became Minister of Finance of the Republic of North Macedonia in September 2020. Before this he was an associate professor at the faculty of business and economics within the South-East European University, as well as a visiting senior fellow (associate professor) at the London School of Economics and Political Science, European Institute. He managed many projects and initiatives related to the public sector, economy, finance, energy, etc. He has won several awards and certificates of acknowledgment, including the ‘Order of the Star of Italy – Grand Officer’ award under a decision by the President of Italy for his contribution to the improvement of the bilateral relations between the two countries during the Italian Presidency of the EU Council. He is an honorary member of ‘Young Global Leaders for 2010’, as well as a member of ‘European Future Leaders’. He was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs in the Government for two terms of office – from March 2013 until May 2014 and between June 2014 and March 2016. He was also appointed as Minister of Defence from August 2011 until February 2013 and Minister of Economy for two terms of office between August 2008 and July 2011.  Other  governmental responsibilities include co-chairman of the council for economic growth and sustainable development within the Prime Minister’s office from August 2017 until May 2019, special advisor to the Prime Minister in the period between August 2017 and April 2019, co-chairman of the National investment committee, National IPA coordinator, coordinator for the instrument for pre-accession assistance and bilateral financial support on national level as Deputy Prime Minister for EU Affairs, and as a member of the national security council as Minister of Defence.