Skopje, 5 July 2024 (MIA) - Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski told a Sloboden Pechat interview that the installation of cameras as part of the “Safe City” system is nearing its completion, and he expects the system to start functioning as of the beginning of 2025.

“’Safe City’ is a project that is of crucial interest for Macedonia, mainly for Skopje as the center, but of course also for Tetovo and Kumanovo. Skopje is the focus since half of Macedonia is in Skopje, half of the violations are in Skopje. I think that if we can drive within the allowed speed in Austria and Germany, we can do so in Macedonia as well. The goal is to reduce the number of traffic deaths,” Toshkovski said.

In the interview Toshkovski also spoke about the issuing of passports with the country’s new name, stressing that more than 400.000 passports have been issued during the period he has been in charge as Interior Minister, in the caretaker Government and now. The Minister said the situation is expected to normalize in two months.

Asked about border security, Toshkovski stressed that the police will need to focus thoroughly and comprehensively on the issue.

“That means we will have a hub, from which we will use technical devices, thermal cameras, drones. We will act with mobile teams from within, in order to thoroughly cover the area, especially the green border, so that we can have real control and an idea of the situation on the border,” Toshkovski said.

In terms of the fight against corruption, Toshkovski underlined that the law should apply to everyone, noting that, as a caretaker Government, they have demonstrated this through their actions.

“We have demonstrated that no one will be untouchable, and we have demonstrated that even in a period of a caretaker government, professional work can be done within the Interior Ministry’s authorizations. But there must be results. In the end, people must see that a supreme judge will be held responsible if he racketeers. A member of the Council of Public Prosecutors will be held responsible if he does something illegal. Even a minster who does something illegal will be held responsible,” Toshkovski said.

Photo: Sloboden Pechat