Skopje, 10 March 2023 (MIA) - The people of North Macedonia continue to perceive corruption as a problem, and the Government needs to demonstrate that they are tackling this problem, the UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Lord Stuart Peach, told MIA in an interview.

"Polls here show the public, the people of North Macedonia, continue to perceive corruption as a problem. The Government needs to demonstrate that they are tackling this problem. Having an independent merits-based appointment system, for example a transparent election process of key officials, including judges, anti-discrimination commissioners and senior civil servants is a good start, along with the need to increase transparency and accountability within many public institutions," said Peach, who visited the country this week for talks with top officials.

In the interview with MIA, he noted that the UK supports North Macedonia’s ambitious reform agenda, including reforms that are necessary for progress towards the EU accession. Lord Peach added that the UK supports North Macedonia in this work, through programme funding to address many of these issues.

The interview with the UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Lord Stuart Peach, will be published in full along with video material on Saturday.