Skopje, 22 December 2023 (MIA) — The state's coordinating body for analyzing and strengthening legislation against corruption and organized crime convened on Friday to discuss heightening restrictive measures in light of the United States of America's corruption-related designations.

According to an official press release, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Good Governance Slavica Grkovska submitted a proposal for amendments to the Law on Restrictive Measures. The changes would make it possible that sanctions imposed by the United States related to corruption, organized crime, terrorism, and hybrid threats be applied in the country and those designated be subject to sanctions according to local laws.

Meeting participants agreed on the need to develop an effective solution expanding the scope of the sanctions list and to amend the law with a procedure providing the basis for processing through the national legislation US-imposed sanctions.

The release notes that the US' support to North Macedonia is of great importance, welcoming as well the US administration's efforts to promote peace, stability and democracy in the region.

The coordinating body concluded that the proposed amendments to the Law on Restrictive Measures should be submitted to the government for  consideration and adoption at one of its next sessions, the release adds.

The session was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Grkovska and attended by Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska, Minister of Finance Fatmir Besimi, the directors of the Agency for National Security, the Intelligence Agency, the Public Revenue Office, the Financial Intelligence Office, the Customs Administration, and the Financial Police Office as well as representatives of the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice. mr/