Skopje, 1 February 2023 (MIA) - The slight improvement in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2022 is not enough, but should be welcomed, said Justice Minister Nikola Tupancheski, pointing out that it gives hope and is motivating. 

Asked to comment on the latest Transparency International report on corruption, Tupancheski said comments regarding the CPI depend on the perception we have, but as minister he believes there's a lot more work to be done in order to improve the situation in that area. 

"Formally and legally speaking, we have a slight improvement in the situation, and that should be welcomed. Whether it's enough - no, it's not enough, but still, the very act or the very fact that there is a slight shift in a positive sense, also including the countries in the region, gives hope that though slightly, some things have moved in a positive direction. That is good. But if you ask me as minister, we still have a lot of work to do in order to improve the situation in that area. This is just motivating," Tupancheski said after Wednesday's visit to the Shtip-based Appellate Court.  

Global corruption watchdog Transparency International ranked North Macedonia 85th out of 180 countries in its 2022 CPI. The country is up one place from last year, scoring 40 points on a scale that assigns 100 points to the least corrupt country.