Western Balkans Anti-Corruption Conference Starts

The two-day Western Balkans Anti-Corruption Conference, being organised by the US Embassy, in cooperation with the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) in Skopje started on Thursday.

The opening focused on the importance of multisectoral cooperation and commitment of all participants to finding solutions in the fight against corruption, encouraging the everyday fight for integrity, and creating robust mechanisms to prevent corruption and seek accountability through systemic reforms and transparent institutions.

In her opening address, Ambassador Angela Aggeler underlined the importance of multisectoral cooperation and commitment of all participants to finding a solution to the critical problem. Her assessment is that both punishment and encouraging the everyday fight for integrity is needed.

“All of you being here shows all sectors are involved, which is a testament to your commitment and search for finding a solution. That underlined the importance and urgency of the work that’s ahead,” the Ambassador stressed.

That those that have chosen to fight and act must be empowered instead of them giving up, the Ambassador underlined.

“Precisely through the Conference, by bringing champions to one place can a network that will fight corruption from a position of strength and confidence be built,” the Ambassador emphasized.

In North Macedonia, the new judicial network where all professionals from the criminal legal sector will be connected is being launched, she also said, stressing that they would share experience, encourage confidence, and support one another. Ambassador Aggeler believes the initiative will be used as a model in the region. Participants in the event were encouraged by the Ambassador to build knowledge and partnership, as well as to share experiences and lessons learned.

Deputy PM for Good Governance Policies Arben Fetai compared corruption to a destructive force undermining the system and compromising fundamental values. The Government, he pointed out, is committed to creating robust mechanisms to prevent corruption and seeking accountability from corrupt officials through systemic reforms and transparent institutions. Fighting corruption is a top priority, he also underlined.

“Our reform has already started. Our Government has started to take activities to achieve this objective. Our duty, as the Government, is to establish, set up proper mechanisms for preventing corruption and for seeking accountability. This will be possible only through systemic reforms and through the creation of institutions that will work transparently for the good of the public,” Fetai noted.

In his view, that can be achieved through systemic reviews within all public institutions and amendments to the Criminal Code in order to align the period concerning the expiration of statute of limitations for corruption-related crimes with EU standards.

“We will consult affected parties, our international partners in order to secure the best decisions, including the improvement of our results regarding convictions in cases related to corruption, while we will also focus on confiscation of unlawfully acquired assets, through which we will send a clear message that corruption will not go unpunished. A strategy is needed to fight corruption that will be founded on transparent and accountable institutions.

We must create systems that will be resilient to outside pressures and to institutions that will be required to seek accountability from corrupt persons. This doesn’t require only an independent judiciary, but also, as I said earlier, state management, state administration that is well-trained and committed to public interest,” Deputy PM Fetai also stated.

The two-day event in Skopje aims to encourage a multisectoral regional network of “leaders in the fight against corruption”, professionals from the government, judiciary, civil society, and business sector, committed to fighting corruption.

It is bringing together participants and speakers from North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia.