The American ambassador warns of the expansion of the blacklist in North Macedonia

2024-11-23 17:09:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The American ambassador warns of the expansion of the blacklist in North

The American ambassador in Skopje, Angela Ageler

The American ambassador in Skopje, Angela Ageler, warned on November 21 about the expansion of the "black list" with other persons suspected of crime and corruption in North Macedonia.

During a statement to the media after the opening of the first Conference on the fight against corruption in the Western Balkans - organized by the United States Embassy in Skopje in cooperation with the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement - Angeler emphasized that the list "is dynamic and always has names that are reviewed and discussed".

She did not specify names or deadlines for their inclusion in the list, stressing that this is a matter decided by Washington.

"I don't have a timeline because it's Washington's decision, but I can assure you that as we speak there are a number of names that are being considered, and as always we look to add new names," Ageler told reporters Thursday. in Skopje.

During 2023, the US Department of State blacklisted the former Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister, Koço Angjushev, while before him several other high-profile politicians and businessmen, such as the mayor of the Municipality of Struga, Ramiz Merko, and the controversial businessman , Orce Kamchev.

The former director of the secret service, Sasho Mijalkov, and the former prime minister Nikola Gruevski, the chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party, Menduh Thaçi, the former deputy Xhevat Ademi, the former minister of internal affairs, Lube Boskovski and others.

Regarding the recommendations of the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption for the appointment of members of the Board of Directors of the Academy of Judges and Public Prosecutors, Ageler called for them to be respected.

"I don't have concrete details, but I will emphasize that it is important that these comments and recommendations are carefully considered so that the public can get answers to their questions," added Ageler.

The work of this commission was also mentioned in the last Progress Report of the European Commission, which requested that it have more proactive guidelines, additional resources and improve the legal framework for the fight against corruption.

The EC said that there is a need for the implementation of the law.

The new Commission for the Prevention of Corruption started on February 8, 2024. According to the EC, it is critical that it act with the highest level of professionalism./REL