Monday, 12 November 2012
ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT VELJANOSKI ON THE OCCASION OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STATE COMMISSION FOR PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION
Distinguished Chairman and Members of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption,
Distinguished Ambassador of the European Union, Mr. Aivo Orav,
Distinguished Ambassador of OSCE, Mr. Ralph Bret,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Its is my sincere pleasure to attend the marking of this significant jubilee- 10 years from the establishment of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption.
The corruption, as a social evil is as old as the human civilization. It has been present in all social governances and in every state. The corruption is present in all social activities, in other words, as the politicalogist Harold Laswell defines it- the corruption is a misuse of the general interest for personal benefit.
The consequences from the corruption are multiple. Political- violates the basic trust between the politicians and the citizens, in the same time contravening the credibility of the democratic institutions.
The economic consequences are seen in the violation of the market regularities, preventing the safety of the investments, rational and transparent spending of the civil money.
The social consequences from the corruption should not be neglected either, since they harm the most vulnerable social groups, increase and deepen the inequality between the citizens and creates a feeling of insecurity and dissatisfaction.
In conclusion, there is no rule of law or functioning of the legal state where corruption prevails.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In direction of strengthening the rule of law, as well as the fight against the corruption, but also in the context of prevention of conflict of interest which most often is the doorway for the corruptive arrangements, 10 years ago, on the basis of the adopted laws, the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia established the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption.
The Committee is an independent and autonomous specialized institution, which, in my opinion is the milestone for the fight against the corruption. The success in the fight against this social evil , imposes activities and responsibility of many other institutions, from the executive governance, judiciary, legislation, but also by the NGO sector and every individual citizen.
Allow me to remind that our strategic goal is the membership in the European Union and NATO, and the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia itself has ratified many international conventions on the fight against the organized crime and corruption. Today, we have a set of laws on the fight against corruption and prevention of conflict of interests.
If we refer to the Progress Report on the Republic of Macedonia, from the European Union and from the Council of Europe, we can clearly take note of the remarks that our state has regulated well the normative part in the fight against corruption and prevention of conflict of interests.
Also, we mark a positive tendency in the ranking lists of the international organizations monitoring the fight and its results in the area of prevention of corruption. We should not avoid the remarks and the recommendations on more efficient implementation of the adopted legal solutions, as well as appropriate scrutiny of the responsible entities in the area of implementation of these laws.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Undeniably, one of the most important activities of the Committee that are being implemented is the raising of the consciousness of the citizens, and the society in general, on the corruption and the matters of handling thereof.
Unfortunately, this social evil has never and has nowhere been fully eliminated, and this fact should be a motivation for the Committee and for all institutions that are included in this process in any way, to continue their fight against corruption and conflict of interests more intensively and responsibly.
As a President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia allow me to underline that the Parliament shall always be open for any proposal regarding the efficient fight against corruption.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The State Commission for Prevention of Corruption , pursuant to its character and work has been present in the public, through the media, and that is positive, but the work and the results of the Committee must not be part of the daily political games and criticism.
I believe that we will all agree that the constructive criticism and proposals are always needed, especially in theprocess of increasing of the efficiency in the work, regardless of the institution.
In the past 10 years the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption has demonstrated openness to accept and implement these remarks in its work. This is especially evident in the permanent cooperation with other institutions, as well as with the NGO Sector.
Allow me in the end, to congratulate you on the 10 years jubilee with the conviction that the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption will continue to work responsibly and efficiently in the fight against the corruption. This is the sole manner of contributing in the functioning of the legal state and the rule of law, strengthening the overall democratic relations in the state and the achievement of our strategic determinations.
Thank you.