Ohrid, 25 September 2023 (MIA) – Recognizing and understanding organized crime and corruption in the context of the rule of law will be in the focus of the eighth session of the Ohrid School of Natural Law, traditionally organized by the Center for Strategic Research of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, with the support of the US Embassy.

In the coming week, as part of the event, law students will participate in dozens of discussions on current topics in the field of law, with a focus on the fight against corruption.

Minister of Education and Science, Jeton Shaqiri, in his address voiced hope that the students will acquire new knowledge that will help them become better jurists, skilled in the application of novelties, and capable of recognizing and tackling organized crime and corruption, in the context of the rule of law.

In her address, Virginia Elliott, head of the US Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Section, told the participants that they should be the future guardians of human rights and the ones that will stand in defense of the principles of rule of law.

“The fight against organized crime and corruption, rule of law, independent judiciary, are the biggest challenge for the democratization of North Macedonia and its EU integration. You are not alone in dealing with the challenges,” said Elliott, adding that the US Embassy will continue to focus on the rule of law and cooperate with the country to ensure an accountable Government and an independent judiciary. 

Academician Vlado Kambovski said he believes the source of corruption in North Macedonia is the human factor. According to Kambovski, the country’s legislation is in line with the European norms, standards and conventions, and what is really necessary is to elevate the human factor in order to tackle organized crime and corruption.

“Corruption has infiltrated all pores of society, from the lowest layers to the highest government. Bribery is king everywhere, from the lowest clerks to the leading officials. In my opinion, a turnaround is impossible without an acceleration of the country’s integration process, with the support of the EU, by strengthening the monitoring through negotiations in different areas, in order for that cloud of endemic corruption to move away from the Macedonian sky,” said Kambovski. 

The Ohrid School of Natural Law will conclude with the granting of certificates and awards for the best student theses. 

Photo: MIA