Skopje, 5 December 2023 (MIA) — Today’s designation of former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Kocho Angjushev and his family is further proof the United States will continue to sanction corrupt actors in this country and across the region, regardless of their position, political affiliation, or timing of the abuses, US Ambassador to North Macedonia Angela Aggeler announced on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Ambassador Aggeler also said more people would be designated as generally ineligible for entry into the United States.

"More designations will be coming, but the fact is that our efforts and our sanctions cannot fix North Macedonia’s epidemic of corruption. Ultimately, it is up to the officials and citizens of this country to demand accountability and change," she wrote.

Earlier on Tuesday, the US blacklisted former Deputy Prime Minister Angjushev and his family as generally ineligible for entry into the United States, due to his involvement in significant corruption.  

"While serving as Deputy Prime Minister, Angjushev abused his official position to benefit his private business interests, undermining the confidence of North Macedonia’s public in their government institutions and public processes," the US Department of State said in a press release.

"Today’s action demonstrates the United States stands with those in North Macedonia who seek accountability of corrupt public officials.  

"This designation reaffirms the U.S. commitment to counter corruption, which harms the public interest, hampers countries’ economic prosperity, and curtails the ability of governments to respond effectively to the needs of their people," it adds.

The US State Department has so far blacklisted Nikola Gruevski, Sasho Mijalkov, Ramiz Merko, Orce Kamchev, Ratka Kamcheva, and Sergey Samsonenko due to their involvement in corruption. mr/