Skopje, 9 January 2024 (MIA) - Speaking about the rule of law in late Tuesday’s interview with Sitel TV, President Stevo Pendarovski noted that the issues in the Macedonian judiciary have persisted for many years and are systemic, requiring structural changes. According to President Pendarovski, this problem cannot be resolved with a few dismissals or personnel changes.

"It is a systemic problem, and it can be addressed or alleviated only through systemic changes. One of those systemic changes is a comprehensive vetting in the judiciary, and I regret that, listening to the advice of high European officials in 2016 and 2017 when the power structure changed, we did not engage in that process. Looking at the effects of not having vetting in Macedonia, I think it couldn't have been worse in that sense if we had conducted a comprehensive vetting," Pendarovski said.

In this regard, he also commented on the US blacklist, emphasizing that it contributes to raising awareness among political actors. "It's not indifferent what America thinks, or doesn't think, about the rule of law, and I personally told the US ambassador that they should continue in that direction," President Pendarovski added.

Photo: MIA archive