Skopje, 26 June 2023 (MIA) – The Day of the Financial Police Office, as well as its 20th anniversary, were marked Monday at an event attended by Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, who said the Office is an important link in the fight against corruption and organized crime.

“Throughout the years this institution has demonstrated a high level of professionalism, transparency and expertise. The institutional cooperation between the Office and the Ministry of Interior is important in this fight, as well as with the National Security Agency and the embassies of North Macedonia’s strategic partners. This cooperation is one indicator of the significance of coordination between the institutions fighting organized financial crime and corruption, which harms the country’s budget and society,” said Kovachevski.

The PM assessed that tackling this type of crime is a challenge on a global level, and that this challenge calls for greater independence of the institutions, clear distinction between the competencies of the authorities in the country, but also action in line with the legislation.

“In this context, the rule of law should be a top priority, a new chapter on our path to the EU has begun, and as a result we will face many challenges and go through further reforms and transformation of society. I am glad that all institutions are participating in the screening process that is being carried out in Brussels, including the Financial Police Office, and they had an opportunity to see what lies ahead of the Office in terms of reforms that need to be carried out,” said Kovachevski.

Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski voiced satisfaction with the cooperation and assessed that the joint tackling of various forms of financial crime, implementation of laws and the principles of rule of law are of essential importance for society.

He added that the joint activities and projects between the Interior Ministry and the Financial Police Office have resulted in an increase of professionalism during their execution of operative tasks.

Minister of Finance Fatmir Besimi stressed that the role of the Financial Police Office is to be a guardian of the financial system and society’s interests.

“It is our duty to improve the legal and economic environment and efficiently protect the integrity of the financial system by securing clear rules for everyone, as well as sanctions for those who do not comply with those rules. Our commitments for the improvement of the capacities of the Office, as a significant body of the system for the protection of the national and European financial interests and the fight against organized crime, are to that end as well,” said Besimi.

The head of the Financial Police Office, Goran Ivanov, noted that since his appointment more than 100 charges have been filed, and said that in the future the Office will work to increase its staff, boost its operational capacities, and provide continuous education and training for its staff.

At the event, plaques were handed to five employees of the Office as a symbol of gratitude for their work.