The cornerstone for construction of four skyscrapers and shopping mall, investment worth EUR 300 million of the Turkish company 'Cevahir Holding' was laid Monday in Skopje settlement Aerodrom.

Residential area consisted of four towers with 42 floors each 130 meters tall and business and shopping mall will be built on an area of 33.000m2. The construction site is 280.000m2 and will provide residence to 5.000 people. Turkish investor Ibrahim Cevahir announced that the construction will be completed in three years.

President Gjorge Ivanov, PM Nikola Gruevski, government members, mayors attended cornerstone laying ceremony.

Gruevski in his address said that the construction expansion in Macedonia, especially in Skopje, which began in the past several years is continuing with bigger activity. He emphasised that the four skyscrapers are the largest residential investment in construction sector and are the tallest buildings in Macedonia.

"We have been working on this investment for a longer period of time", he said.

According to Gruevski, Macedonia and Turkey represent a rare model of true friendship and unity reflected in all fields.

"One of the most essential aspects of our friendship is the economic cooperation, which has risen over years, with private companies from both countries being the generators of this cooperation", he added.

Vice Premier for Economic Affairs Vladimir Pesevski said the start of such large project was important not only for the municipality, but also for the city and the country in general.

"The objective was to construct buildings taller than 100 meters, which represents a challenge for a city such as Skopje, located on a seismically sensitive area. However, an investor appeared ready to work on the project, followed by long negotiations", said Pesevski.

Minister of Transport and Communications Mile Janakieski stressed the project proved that every idea and vision could become a reality if hard word and commitment were invested.

"I expect the project to be carried out swiftly, thus adding to the beautiful construction image of the capital", said Janakieski.

Turkish Ambassador to Macedonia Gurol Sokmensuer emphasized "Cevahir Holding" was on the top of the construction sector, conducting projects in Turkey and abroad.

"This complex will contribute to the modernization of Skopje and Macedonia, to the country's development. In times of global crisis, bilateral economic and commercial relations are developing in the positive direction", said Ambassador Sokmensuer.

"Cevahir Holding" president Ibrahim Cevahir told PM Gruevski during their first meeting that the EUR 300 million investment would be completed in six years.

"We are now planning to complete it in 36 months, but we need your support in this regard. I know that our investment is one of the largest in Macedonia", stressed Cevahir.