Brussels, 5 December 2024 (MIA) - Unless there is a functional rule of law and prosecutors and judges proceed in line with Constitution and laws, there will be no economic development, no investments and emigration of our citizens will continue, Deputy PM for Good Government Arben Fetai told "EU-Western Balkans Summit: A Renewed Approach to the Region", organized by the Brussels-based think-tanko "Friends of Europe" on Thursday.

"For years, international partners wanted to see results from the efforts in the fight against corruption and in 2023-2024 we had zero judgments in cases related to high-profile corruption," said Deputy PM Fetai.

He said the country had to deliver in the field and that is why one of the Government's four priorities is fight against corruption, alongside EU integration, economic development and decentralization.

Fetai said corruption, crime and no rule of law were the reasons why the incumbent authorities won convincingly at the recent elections.

"We have to bring back the trust of citizens in our institutions, ensure independence of the judiciary and rule of law. These are the Government's strategic priorities," said Fetai.

According to him, surveys by international organizations have shown that only two percent of Macedonian citizens trust the judicial system.

"Together with the European Union, we have set a very clear reform agenda in order to change this. When it comes to the rule of law, fight against corruption and judiciary independence includes a reform of the Judicial Council," said Fetai.

He added that restoring integrity is equally important, with efforts invested in the improvement of processes for election of judges and prosecutors, their appointments and evaluation, and if necessary, dismissals.

"Legislation and policies are not enough, we have to build a culture of responsibility and transparency on all levels, with the citizens, media and international partners," noted Fetai.

He said concrete steps are needed and announced "a type of vetting" in the judiciary, maybe even beyond the sector.

Regarding EU enlargement, the Deputy PM said that 20 years ago, the EU pretended to integrate the Western Balkans and the region pretended to make reforms.

"Things have changed now as a result of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, and the enlargement process is again high on the agenda. I think we are moving in the right direction, 2027-2028 are mentioned as years for the region's integration and this is the timeframe we are all working on," underlined Fetai.

Photo: MIA