Croatia’s Ministry of Justice, Austria’s Federal Ministry of Interior and the Agency for European Integration and Economic Development (AEI) will partner and support North Macedonia’s judicial system and Ministry of Interior in the fight against organized crime and corruption, within five-year project “EU Support for Rule of Law”, funded by the Union’s Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA).
Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourova, addressed the project promotion on Wednesday, congratulating North Macedonia on the pace and progress of European reforms, urging the Government and institutions to keep up the tempo.
“We will continue to support North Macedonia on its EU accession path. This includes financial support, such as this project, which will help improve the capacities of judicial institutions for implementation of contemporary investigative techniques, but on the other hand, support the fight against crime and corruption prevention,” said Jourova.
According to her, relevant institutions should have the proper resources to produce continued success in their efforts against corruption and organized crime.
“IPA projects help in this regard. I believe it is of enormous significance to improve the capacities of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption. This body should easily check the asset declarations submitted by elected and appointed officials,” said Jourova.
I hope, she added, that member-states will reach an agreement on the start of the country’s accession negotiations shortly.
“You can count on my full support in North Macedonia’s progress on the accession path to the EU and its values,” noted Jourova.
Justice Minister Bojan Marichikj sees the project as a bridge in the provision of assistance and support in the EU accession negotiations, considering the new Enlargement Methodology, where the rule of law is part of the first cluster – Fundamentals.
“The 2019 European Commission Report validated recent reforms, followed by the clear recommendation for the start of negotiations. We thank the EC for acknowledging North Macedonia as a positive and shining example for other countries, noting progress in all relevant areas and membership criteria. Chapter 23 is seen as one recording good progress, whereas advancements in the area of rule of law has received highest marks compared to other regional countries,” said Marichikj.
He added that the project only reinforces the efforts of consolidating the rule of law and the European values at home, through strengthening of institutional capacities and support in harmonizing the national legislation with the EU Acquis and key human rights instruments of the Council of Europe.
Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski said the concrete and visible support from the European Union, North Macedonia’s largest donor, is of enormous significance in the current challenging period for the entire world.
“The rule of law, one of the common values of EU member-states, is a top priority, which practical implementation leads to a modern and functional state,” said Spasovski.
He added that observance of the law and its implementation is of crucial significance in ensuring equality before the law, leading in turn to the enhancement of trust in public institutions.
“EU Support for Rule of Law” is part of a bigger action programme funded by IPA II 2020, providing support to institutions in the next five years to strengthen the rule of law in line with European and international standards, especially through support of the judiciary and the police, enhancement of the fight against corruption and observance of fundamental rights in the country. Experts will provide advisory support, along with support in management and further development of systems, accompanied by staff training in all institutions concerned.
