Skopje, 10 December 2025 (MIA) - Regional forum “From Policy to Impact: Advancing Integrity and Institutional Reform in the Western Balkans” kicked off Wednesday in Skopje, which is expected to bring new commitments, deeper coordination among the countries of the region, and advanced approaches in the fight against corruption, including the use of technology and artificial intelligence.  

The forum was addressed by Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi and Deputy Prime Minister in charge of good governance, Arben Fetai, among others.

“When we speak of European integration, I would like to remind of one fact I often emphasize. The integration cannot be accelerated with statements, nor can it be obstructed with them. It depends on our sincere commitment to reforms. What the EU is asking for is not only a harmonization of legislation. It is asking for a harmonization of values, and values aren’t imported, they are built, every day. We should not strive for integration in order to establish European values. But, on the contrary, we should establish European values in order to earn integration. That is why it is very important for us to understand that Brussels doesn’t need our reforms, we do,” Gashi underscored.

Deputy PM Fetai told journalists that the forum which is being held a day after International Anti-Corruption Day is organized by the government with the help of its partners: Switzerland and Sweden, as well as the EU and UNOPS, and the NGO sector, and it is committed to the fight against corruption and coordination of the next steps.

“At the end of the conference we will adopt a declaration – the Skopje declaration, which will serve as the basis for further conferences. The goal of this conference is to be held every year. Next year we will know where we are, whether we have succeeded or fallen short in some areas. So, the main goal is for this conference to be regional and to be held every year. We want to show that the government is really investing efforts in the fight against corruption, and that this is not just an empty election campaign promise. Our main goal is to be a factor in the Balkans when it comes to this topic – the fight against corruption,” Fetai said.

The forum is expected to include four panel discussions dedicated to regional perspectives and coordinated international support for promoting good governance; increasing accountability, and translating policies into measurable results; smart management, digital tools and artificial intelligence in the fight against corruption; and coordination among accountability institutions and the role of civil society and investigative journalism.

The “From Policy to Impact: Advancing Integrity and Institutional Reform in the Western Balkans” regional forum brings together justice ministers, heads of anti-corruption institutions, representatives of civil society, media, and international organizations from across the Western Balkans.

At the end of the event, participants are expected to adopt a joint declaration on commitments to integrity, anti-corruption efforts, and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans.

Photo: MIA