Skopje, 30 November 2023 (MIA) - The Ministers of Foreign Affairs from North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro, on the sidelines of the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje, have signed a joint statement on combating corruption, money laundering, and facilitating efforts to recover assets.

The agreed-upon text of the joint statement during the regional conference on combating corruption in Southeastern Europe, convened in Skopje on October 31, under the auspices of the North Macedonia’s OSCE Chairpersonship and in collaboration with the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, was signed by the Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bujar Osmani, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dačić, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, Filip Ivanović, and the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Igli Hasani.

After the signing, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani emphasized that corruption is a common challenge in the region. The act of signing the joint statement sends a clear signal that there is no tolerance for corruption.

“The joint statement acknowledges that corruption weakens the rule of law, erodes trust in institutions, and jeopardizes social and economic development and prosperity, as well as stability and security. It represents a risk to the common values of the OSCE and provokes various forms of criminal activities,” Osmani noted.

The document, as he highlighted, contains ten action points, including enhancing and utilizing digital tools, fostering regional cooperation among institutions and organizations in the battle against corruption, and facilitating endeavors for asset recovery.

Ivica Dačić, the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, underscored that combatting corruption is impossible without comprehensive institutional and regional cooperation. 

"No country can tackle this alone, and the OSCE can contribute to enhancing capacities for preventing and combating corruption," stated Dačić, emphasizing that all countries, both wealthy and less developed, should endorse such a declaration. He cast doubt on the ability of even wealthier nations to meet all the criteria they establish for themselves.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, stated that strengthening regional cooperation is crucial in the fight against corruption. Signing the statement, he said, represents a confirmation of a strong commitment to combating corruption.

"We recognize that corruption is a transnational problem, and our commitment extends beyond borders," he said.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, Filip Ivanović, deemed the endorsement of the initiative as a concrete move towards bolstering regional cooperation in the fight against corruption. He expressed that it will greatly aid in enhancing the well-being of the countries.
"It is also a crucial criterion for evaluating the progress of Western countries on the path to the EU," Ivanović added.

Igli Hasani, Albania's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, greeted the initiative, highlighting that the fight against corruption and good governance stands as a primary focus for the Albanian government.

"In the end, political will remains crucial, and I hope that despite all the ministers present being men, we will do much more for women and youth," he said.

Photo: MIA