Brussels, 15 July 2025 (MIA) - North Macedonia has achieved progress in the implementation of recommendations to prevent corruption within top executive functions of the central government and the police, concluded a report by the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) closing its compliance procedure for North Macedonia under the Fifth Evaluation Round.

The report assessed that North Macedonia has satisfactorily implemented 17 of the 23 recommendations contained in the 5th round evaluation report, adopted in 2019. Six recommendations remain partly implemented.

“GRECO welcomes the steps taken to improve transparency and promote integrity as regards persons entrusted with top executive functions. The government’s new rules of procedure now allow public online access to the list of individuals invited to or attending government sub-committees and working groups. New guidelines on the reporting and processing of gifts have been adopted, and an online catalogue detailing gifts is under development,” GRECO said in a press release after the publishing of the report.

According to the report, another positive development is the creation of an electronic database for registering and verifying asset declarations of elected and appointed public officials, although it is not yet fully operational.  

The report also noted that draft amendments to the Law on the Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interest, aimed at reinforcing the sanctioning regime, are expected to be adopted by the end of 2025.

“An analysis has also been carried out to assess the processes and practices of the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption’s Department for Monitoring of Property Status, but implementing the resulting recommendations remains work in progress and will require continued follow-up and commitment to ensure tangible improvements,” GRECO said.

Regarding law enforcement agencies, the report noted progress, particularly in the legislative reform aimed at strengthening the operational independence of the police and its internal and external oversight mechanisms.

“Nonetheless, further efforts are needed to ensure objective and transparent appraisals and to strengthen whistleblower protection,” it added.

The Macedonian authorities are encouraged to keep GRECO informed of any further developments concerning the full implementation of the outstanding recommendations.

“In particular, GRECO looks forward to updates on the establishment of the register of gifts; the full operationalisation of the electronic asset declaration database for elected and appointed officials;  the improvements made to the sanctioning regime for violations of conflicts of interest, integrity and anti-corruption rules, changes to integrity testing proceedings in police, including their evaluation;  and the practical application of whistleblower protection legislation within the police force,” the press release said.

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