Deputy PM for the fight against corruption and crime, sustainable development and human resources Ljupcho Nikolovski held Thursday a meeting with EU Ambassador David Geer and Ambassadors of Union member-states in the country, discussing the implementation of the Government’s Anti-Corruption Plan.
Deputy PM Nikolovski presented the measures undertaken in the first six months of his term and the measures within the Plan, his Office said in a press release.
In this context, Nikolovski said the recommendations over the adoption of a more applicable Code of Ethics of appointed officials have been met, along with the appointment of a person for integrity and conflict of interests, register of gifts, raising the transparency level of advisors, strengthening the inter-institutional communication with all anti-corruption authorities and independent bodies.
He also elaborated in detail all 18 measures contained in the Anti-Corruption Plan.
“The implementation of these measures will be closely monitored. Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has provided strong support for its efficient realization. The Government and the citizens are on the same side in the fight against corruption. We also need the ambassadors’ support for a portion of the activities. I believe that we have a non-selective approach, assuring citizens that no one is above the law, thus bringing back the people’s trust in institutions,” said Nikolovski.
He also referred to the need of digitizing and strengthening investigative centers, digitization of registries, networking of anti-corruption authorities through an interoperability platform, setting up a state aid register, register for issuance of licenses and permits, networking of inspectorates, changes in the law on prevention of corruption and conflict of interests, register of official vehicles etc.
Regarding the awareness raising of citizens and administration in identifying and preventing corruption, the Plan stipulates that each institution designates a person tasked with receiving reports of corruption, while institutions have to adopt annual anti-corruption programmes.
The EU ambassadors welcomed the Government’s commitment to the Anti-Corruption Plan and offered support in the implementation of the reforms in accordance with EU standards, reads the press release.
