Skopje, 25 November 2024 (MIA) - Deputy Prime Minister in charge of good governance Arben Fetai addressed Monday the Regional Policy Meeting on Asset Recovery in the Western Balkans held in Budva, Montenegro.

According to his Office, at the meeting Fetai highlighted the need for coordinated activities against organized crime and corruption, stressing the importance of the exchange of best practices and tackling illegal financial transactions which undermine democracy and the citizens’ trust in the institutions.

He presented North Macedonia’s progress, including the adoption of three significant laws on the confiscation and management of seized assets, as well as the Strategy on Financial Investigations and Asset Recovery 2024-2028, which is in the final stage.  

Despite the progress, Fetai noted that results from 2023 show a drop in the amount of frozen and seized assets compared to 2022. In 2022, the value of frozen assets stood at almost EUR 40 million, while seized assets stood at around EUR 28 million. In 2023, frozen assets dropped to EUR 1.69 million, while seized assets were at around EUR 18 million.

“These figures are a wake-up call and remind us of the need to change our approach,” the Deputy PM said.

He announced the establishment of the National Financial Investigations Council to strengthen inter-institutional coordination and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to active cooperation with civil society.

“No one is above the law. Through firm political will and international cooperation, we can deal with the criminal networks and bring those that are corrupt to justice,” Fetai stressed. 

Photo: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of good governance