Skopje, 12 January 2023 (MIA) – I do not have the illusion that we, as a society, can fully eradicate corruption but I do believe that we can create an effective mechanism that will help us deal with corruption, prevent it, and punish it, said Deputy PM for good governance policies Slavica Grkovska at roundtable titled “Western Balkans between the East and the West: North Macedonia – EU member by 2030” organized by the Council of Ambassadors on Thursday.

Deputy PM Grkovska said that everyone involved in the society has the responsibility to effectively deal with corruption, not just the Government.

“The fight against corruption requires all stakeholders to have an active role, as well as all three branches of power, which have an equal share of responsibility. We must secure a complete societal and political consensus with the full inclusion of the non-governmental sector, the expert public, the local and international expertise, and the support of our international partners,” she said.

The Deputy PM added that the one thing the aforementioned actors should work on, as well as the institutions and public sector employees, is integrity.

“Without the promotion and strengthening of integrity in every individual, in the executive, as well as the judicial system, serious progress is impossible. Integrity, responsibility, accountability and transparency are the key mechanisms in the effective dealing with corruption and setting up the foundations of the rule of law, equal justice and punitiveness,” she said.

Grkovska pointed out she is happy that the citizens are clearly showing that they have zero tolerance for corruption, that they recognize the system’s weaknesses and that they raise alarms about the system’s mistakes. She believes that the negotiations will start on time, and that the process will be productive and effective.

Swedish Ambassador Ami Larsson Jain said that corruption erodes society and democracy by undermining trust in the institutions, and our state should do so much more to show effective law implementation.

“That’s why EU membership is key. North Macedonia had a good start with the screening and it’s keeping up the pace with reforms. Progress has been noted in many areas, but much more needs to be done to show effectiveness in law implementation,” she said.

Eric Meyer, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, said the EU is the country’s future and that it is within reach.

“North Macedonia has proven that it belongs to international alliances, and its contribution to NATO since becoming a member has been extraordinary. North Macedonia is chairing OSCE in a critical time for the security of the EU. We believe that North Macedonia will be just as safe as an EU member state,” he said.

Meyer added that significant progress is needed and that certain challenges must be overcome.

“The US Embassy has been honest and open in terms of challenges and shortcomings. The leadership of North Macedonia must implement the necessary reforms, not the foreign embassies. The institutions and the judiciary must work independently and transparently, which they are currently not doing,” he pointed out. dk/ik/