Skopje, 27 July 2023 (MIA) – Deputy Prime Minister in charge of good governance policies, Slavica Grkovska at a Q&A session in Parliament Thursday, said that during her meeting in Brussels with representatives of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) she was told they are satisfied with the cooperation of the institutions in the country, while she stressed that she encourages their investigations.

The Deputy PM spoke in response to an MP’s question related to OLAF’s report regarding the abuse of European funds.

“The OLAF representatives told us they are satisfied with the cooperation of our institutions, while I told them that I encourage them to continue their investigations, precisely because every one of us, regardless of the post they hold, has a duty to be responsible for the way the citizens’ funds are being spent, regardless of whether we are talking about money from the Budget, donation assistance or assistance from our international partners,” stressed Grkovska.

The Deputy PM noted that the OLAF representatives pointed out to her that the investigations being led will have a conclusion and a clear outcome. She added that they will not affect the IPARD assistance, which has already been granted.

Over the past five years, OLAF opened 36 investigations for abuse or irregularities related to European funds in the countries of the Western Balkans, 18 of which relating to North Macedonia, Euronews Albania reported. In 2022, four investigations opened for the country, with three closed through issuance of recommendations.

Photo: MIA Archive