Skopje, 8 April 2025 (MIA) - At the constitutive session of the interagency body for coordination of anti-corruption activities on Tuesday, the European Union’s Ambassador to North Macedonia, Michalis Rokas, said corruption poses a great challenge for the country and quick changes are needed to implement reforms. The Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the United States, Nicole Varnes, stressed the importance of the fight against corruption for economic development and social trust. While the Head of OSCE’s Mission to Skopje, Kilian Wahl, highlighted transparency and the implementation of legislation as crucial for success in the fight.    

“Corruption continues to pose a challenge, it penetrates deep within the pores of society and the citizens. There are commitments to the fight against corruption, which is key for progress on the path to the EU. Previous governments also fought against corruption, however, this is a task for society as a whole. Every institution, every citizen, plays a role. The reforms require a change in the mindset within the institutions, within the judiciary, as well as in the mindset of individuals,” Rokas said.

Ambassador Rokas said the European Commission has provided recommendations in its report on the country, the rule of law and the Judicial Council, which are included in the Reform Agenda.

“We need greater progress to strengthen the rule of law and introduce new legal foundations such as the new Criminal Code, all of this is crucial. We are seeing encouraging signs about activities taken in relation to investigative procedures, arrests and verdicts, as well as the seizure of illegally acquired assets. But what matters is for the courts, the judicial bodies and the police to assume their responsibilities, and for the judicial authorities to have sufficient funds for this,” Rokas said.

He also highlighted the issue of independence of the judicial bodies.

“The independence of the judiciary can be ensured not only through financial independence, which will be embedded within the structural framework, but also through the absence of abuse of official authorizations. All actors must stop interfering in the work of the courts and the judicial bodies, and stop doing this for political goals,” Rokas stressed. 

Deputy Chief of Mission, Varnes, highlighted the importance of the interagency body for coordination of anti-corruption activities.

“The fight against corruption is a factor that defines the development of the economy, social trust and the country’s competitiveness on the global stage. This interagency body isn’t only important – it is essential,” Varnes said.

The US Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission said the inefficient judicial system and slow resolution of cases erode trust. According to Varnes, strengthening the judicial bodies requires reforms, activities, and political will.

“This interagency body has the opportunity and responsibility to advance real reforms that will strengthen accountability and boost the transparency and efficiency of the judicial bodies. These aren’t only legal or government decisions, but they also affect the creation of jobs and the growth of wages and the economy in North Macedonia,” Varnes said.

Varnes concluded that without political will, inefficiency will disrupt progress, noting the need for joint efforts to implement real change.

Ambassador Kilian Wahl said the fight against corruption should be founded on three pillars – implementation of legislation, education, cooperation and coordination. 

Wahl noted that the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption has presented preliminary results from the implementation of the national strategy for the fight against corruption showing that only 18 percent of planned activities were carried out in 2024, which, he said, is a cause for concern. 

“Boosting institutional capacities, partnerships between relevant stakeholders and a stricter supervision of Parliament’s work will contribute to the improvement of these results,” he said.

According to Wahl, the OSCE Mission in the country aims to engage all institutions to create a policy of integrity, boost merit-based employment and establish higher standards for employment. He noted that the Mission will support interagency cooperation between the governing and judicial bodies and support decision-making aimed at restoring trust in the state institutions.

The new interagency body for coordination of anti-corruption activities was set up at the Government on Tuesday. The body is responsible for establishing coordination between all key institutions in the fight against corruption.

Photo: Government