Skopje, 12 January 2024 (MIA) - European Union Ambassador David Geer has told MIA that the main concern regarding the swift changes in the Criminal Code was the possibility of more impunity, which has been the case after their adoption.

"Our concerns related to the changes in the Criminal Code. Our concern at the time was that this would lead to more impunity, and there was the misuse of the European flag, but our main concern was that this would perhaps increase the chance of impunity. What we’ve seen in case after case, which is following up on this, is increased impunity, and indeed we now see there is a gap in the law in one specific area which absolutely needs to be plugged as a matter of priority," says Ambassador Geer when asked about corruption in the country.

He says corruption undermines the country's economic potential, it undermines innovation, it’s one of those factors that drives people to leave the country, and it’s a source of inequality and injustice.

"And therefore, it is very concerning that the report produced by the European Commission last November said there has been no progress in the fight against corruption. We would expect this to be one of the top areas where the authorities should be active in fighting corruption," says Geer.

The MIA interview with Ambassador Geer will be published on Saturday.

Photo: MIA