Skopje, 27 December 2023 (MIA) - The Government must create legal prerequisites, within the framework of the Macedonian justice system, for sanctioning persons that have been blacklisted in other countries, Deputy PM for good governance policies, Slavica Grkovska, told a press conference on Wednesday.

While summarizing this year's work, Grkovska informed that in accordance with the Code of Ethics, 12 politicians, elected and appointed, have received a written warning for various issues. For some politicians, she added, the Code is of no effect, while others observe a change in behavior.

"It sends a very bad message when persons that have been blacklisted in other countries here act as if nothing happened. There must be consequences, a legal procedure, it should encourage investigative and judicial authorities to do their work more efficiently and effectively. International support is always welcome, but domestic institutions should be tasked with seeing the entire procedure through, with the help of the legal system, and see that lawbreakers receive consequences," Grkovska said.

She stressed that the media, civil sector, and State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption are the key partners that should react and point out such behaviors.

"We have always been impartial to the Code of Ethics, regardless of who it concerns. We have proven that the Code of Ethics is a form of additional pressure that should remind politicians of their obligation to be an example of how one politician should behave, because the examples they set at every level are used by others in society. That system of ethical and moral norms should come from the top, then be applied to other parts of society," Grkovska noted. ssh/ik/

Photo: MIA