About 8,700 people are to be employed through the 2016 Operational Plan, said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski on Sunday.

The Operational Plan will encompass 13,500 persons, of whom 8,700 are to be employed, while the remaining will receive training.

"EUR 11.5 million will be invested for this purpose, contributing to the lowering of the unemployment rate. About 20 measures in the Operational Plan will secure the employment of many people", PM Gruevski told reporters after the promotion of new works within edition "Stars of World Literature".

He added that the call for the first programme within the Operational Plan would be announced in mid-January.