The Government of Macedonia, the two representative trade unions, Federation of Macedonia's Trade Unions (SSM) and Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Macedonia (KSS), and the Employers' Organisation signed Wednesday an agreement establishing for the first time in Macedonia an Economic and Social Council - a three-party body with advisory and consultative role in creating and implementing government's economic, social strategies and policies.

On behalf of the Government, the agreement was signed by Vice Premier responsible for economic affairs Vladimir Pesevski and Minister of Labour and Social Policy Xhelal Bajrami.

- The Economic and Social Council will follow, study and assess the effect of economic policies of Macedonia's social stability and development and relevant regulations, Vice PM Pesevski said after signing the agreement.

He stated that the Government appreciated the opinion of trade unions on the policies it was creating, adding it would be completely opened for suggestions proposed by the trade unions.

- The council will be in a form of partnership enabling better functioning of the country. But most importantly it will provide protection for workers, the Vice PM noted.

Labour Minister Bajrami expressed hope that by establishing the three-party dialogue, a social, economic and labour policy would be created to meet the demands of citizens.

The Economic and Social Council will hold its first session next week, it was announced.

Trade union representatives welcomed the establishment, calling it "a historic act in applying social dialogue in Macedonia".

- This move will allow many economic and social issues to be settled by institutions and in a European social spirit. Hopefully, it will provide normal social dialogue with consensus, which is necessary for the development of society and overcoming the economic crisis, they said.

Commenting the latest Eurostat report on the mounting unemployment rate in Macedonia, Vice PM Pesevski said that measures were being taken for the economy to move to the right direction.

- Unemployment dropped before the crisis, there was a period of stagnation during the crisis. As we are exiting the crisis, unemployment will start dropping. That is the goal of all our economic measures, Pesevski said.