Gostivar, 12 September 2023 (MIA) - Neither the Government nor any political party or minister has no right and cannot influence the selection of subcontractors of the Bechtel-Enka consortium, said First Deputy PM Artan Grubi on Tuesday.

"Absolute disassociation, since their procedures are even stricter than ours stipulated in the Law on Public Procurement regarding the selection of subcontractors. It is their responsibility to build the motorway and who they choose, because if they do not build the road within the deadline in the agreement, they bear the responsibility for all subcontractors and those they select as partners in the construction," Grubi told reporters at today's launch of the works on Corridor 8 section Gostivar-Bukovikj when asked if company "Eurovia", a big donor of his party DUI, has been selected as subcontractor.

Asked if a new law on pardoning is in the pipeline through a fast-track procedure, resulting in the amnesty of 30 percent of sentenced persons, Grubi said such a law was not discussed at today's Government session.

"I come from a Government session and there was an announcement from the Justice Minister over a law on pardoning due to the overcrowded prisons, but such a law has not entered Government procedure," said Grubi.

Regarding the Criminal Code amendments, through which a large portion of the charges against former and incumbent officials, including Struga Mayor Ramiz Merko, would result in an expired statute of limitations, the First Deputy PM said the changes are in line with European legislation.

"The amendments are in full compliance with the EU law and they absolutely do not amount to amnesty and will not help anyone, including (former PM Nikola) Gruevski and his return to North Macedonia," said Grubi.

Photo: MIA