Skopje, 17 December 2024 (MIA) – Corruption undermines security and the United Kingdom will continue to support anything to tackle corruption not only in the country, but also across the region, Lord Stuart Peach, the United Kingdom’s Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, says in an interview with MIA.

Regarding corruption, including high corruption, the recent police and prosecutor’s action over alleged misuses in State Lottery and the latest designations by the U.S. Department of State of former deputy premier Artan Grubi and appellate judge Enver Bexheti, Peach stresses that corruption not only undermines security, but it also undermines the values the countries stand for.

\“Of course, corruption undermines security. Regardless of where we are in the world, corruption undermines the values we stand for. One of the concerning statistics here is that only six percent believe independence of courts is very good. So, that is concerning. We will continue through our embassy and through our links here with our friends to help with rule of law for citizens and for businesses,” says Peach. 

He mentions that the United Kingdom is the second largest investor in North Macedonia noting British businesses want to work in the country without being threatened by corruption. 

As regards the U.S. ‘blacklist”, Peach says it is the sovereign right of the U.S. government over the sanctions it will impose, adding the United Kingdom will continue to support the fight against corruption.

“The United Kingdom will support anything that tackles corruption not only in North Macedonia, but also across the region and we will take actions when we deem it appropriate,” the UK envoy says. 

He adds it is key that the embassy team works on rule of law projects with key officials as well as with representatives of the Academy of Judges and Public Prosecutors.

Lord Stuart Peach in his interview, which MIA will publish tomorrow, talks about the meeting he has had with the Macedonian top officials, the security in the country and the region, EU integration, the war in Ukraine, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to resolve the war in Ukraine and the situation in Syria.

Photo: MIA