Euro 115 million of funds promised for agricultural subsidies for 2011 have been completely paid to a total of 171.000 beneficiaries, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski told a press conference on Thursday.

"Today, we can announce that Euro 115 million of subsides promised for 2011 have been completely paid to 171.000 beneficiaries. It is an excellent assistance for agriculture, for farmers; it is an investment in the people, for the people and for the Republic of Macedonia. The subsidies are intended for number of agricultural produces included in the program - precisely defined, realistic, measurable and evident," Gruevski said.

With the subsidies, he added, farmers are further motivated to increase their production, to operate, to invest, to meet their needs and interests.

"Our pledge to support and develop agriculture, being one of the leading economic branches, is evident through our efforts not to back down, delay or lower the payment of subsidies, in particular amid the biggest debt crisis in Europe," Gruevski noted.

The PM urged that the government was a serious, reliable and establish partner of farmers "now and in the future".