7. 4. 2022 | Macedonia - Finance, PR
Klikni tukaj za branje prispevka v slovenskem jeziku. 
Strengthening the field of financial investigations is one of the goals, but also one of the latest recommendations of the European Commission, which North Macedonia has recently been successfully pursuing with Slovenia’s international development assistance.
Following the adoption of the National Strategy for Financial Investigations in July 2021, the competent authorities involved in financial investigations are now paying intensive attention to the procedurals for the implementation of the Common Guidelines for Financial Investigations. In doing so they rely primarily on the Slovenian experience.
As part of such cooperation, consultations for the competent Macedonian authorities and exchange of experience on the implementation of financial investigation procedures took place on 28 and 29 March 2022 in North Macedonia. The consultation was attended by representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, Customs Administration, Financial Police Office and the State Prosecutor’s Office who are directly involved in standard procedures for financial investigation.
The results of the consultation contribute to the capacity of North Macedonia for financial investigations and confiscation of proceeds of crime, in particular the property of the perpetrators, for which they cannot prove that it originates from legal sources. The proceeds of crime will be frozen and confiscated in North Macedonia in the next period in the investigating and prosecuting authorities proceedings to an even greater extent and dedicated to the rule of law and to improve the quality of public services in North Macedonia.
Some photos of activities:
The project is part of the program activities of international development cooperation, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and implemented in cooperation with the State Prosecution, Financial Administration, Ministry of the Interior and the Police of the Republic of Slovenia.
Further information:
Andreja Dolničar Jeraj
Programme Director
Centre for European Perspective
18. 3. 2022 | Macedonia - Finance, PR
Klikni tukaj za branje prispevka v slovenskem jeziku.
In accordance with its strategic goal and the desire to achieve the criteria for EU membership, North Macedonia is seriously committed to making progress and increasing efficiency in the fight against organized crime and corruption. Slovenia has been helping North Macedonia on this path in the field of financial investigations through international development assistance since 2017.
Within the framework of this support, Slovenian experts will this time pass on their knowledge to their Macedonian colleagues by advising them on the development of procedures for the implementation of the Common Guidelines for Financial Investigations, which were adopted in 2019 by the Macedonian institutions responsible for financial investigations, based on Slovenian experience.
The consultation will take place on 28-29 March 2022 in North Macedonia, and will be attended by representatives of the authorities, which in North Macedonia carry out financial investigations: Ministry of the Interior, Customs Administration, Financial Police Office and the State Prosecutor’s Office.
The project is part of the program activities of international development cooperation, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and implemented in cooperation with the State Prosecution, Financial Administration, Ministry of the Interior and the Police of the Republic of Slovenia.
Further information:
Andreja Dolničar Jeraj
Programme Director
Centre for European Perspective
10. 12. 2021 | Macedonia - Finance, PR
Klikni tukaj za več o projektu v slovenščini
In pursuit of the interest to conduct financial investigations effectively, after the adoption of the National Strategy for Financial Investigations in July 2021, the competent Macedonian authorities are in the process of developing and interdepartmental coordination of standard operating procedures. Harmonized standard operating procedures will more specifically define the course, characteristics and cooperation in financial investigations of the authorities, which in North Macedonia carry out financial investigations (Ministry of the Interior, Financial Police Directorate, Customs Administration and the State Prosecutor’s Office). In doing so, Macedonian institutions rely largely on Slovenian experience and advice.
In the period between 30.11. and 3 December 2021, in the framework of the project of international development cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia, Assistance in Chapter 24 – financial investigations, consultations were held in Skopje in the field of standard financial investigation procedures. On 30 November 2021, Slovenian advice was first provided interdepartmentally, at a meeting convened on the initiative of the Ministry of the Interior. Subsequent consultations were conducted tête-à-têtes, with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Financial Police, the Customs Administration and the Ministry of the Interior / Police. Consultations are to be continued.
The project is part of the program activities of international development cooperation, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and implemented in cooperation with the State Prosecution, Financial Administration, Ministry of the Interior and the Police of the Republic of Slovenia.
Further information:
Andreja Dolničar Jeraj
Programme Director
Centre for European Perspective
24. 11. 2021 | Macedonia - Finance, PR
Klikni tukaj za branje pripsevka v slovenskem jeziku.
While negotiations on EU membership are awaiting opening in North Macedonia, the competent Macedonian authorities are actively working on strengthening the system of financial investigations and the system of confiscation of proceeds of crime and property, which could be of illegal origin.
In pursuit of interest to conduct effective financial investigations, after the adoption of the National Strategy for Financial Investigations in July 2021, the competent Macedonian authorities are in the process of development and interdepartmental coordination of standard operating procedures. Harmonized standard operating procedures will more specifically define the course, characteristics and cooperation in financial investigations of the authorities, which in North Macedonia carry out financial investigations (Ministry of the Interior, Financial Police Directorate, Customs Administration and the State Prosecutor’s Office). Slovenia, which supports North Macedonia in bringing it closer to EU standards in the field of financial investigations, will between 30 November and 2 December 2021 provide advice in interdepartmental coordination and standardization of financial investigation procedures in North Macedonia.
Strengthening the system of financial investigations is an important condition for North Macedonia’s membership in the EU, and above all, it is a key tool for crime prevention. Effective financial investigation and confiscation of assets where it cannot be proved to be obtained legally, carries the message that crime does not pay. With the planned measures, authorities in Macedonia reiterate the interest of North Macedonia that the more property is confiscated from criminals, the more the state can use it to improve the quality of public services for the people of North Macedonia, including health, education, social welfare and for the fight against crime itself.
The project is part of the program activities of international development cooperation, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and implemented in cooperation with the State Prosecution, Financial Administration, Ministry of the Interior and the Police of the Republic of Slovenia.
Further information:
Andreja Dolničar Jeraj
Programme Director
Centre for European Perspective
7. 7. 2021 | Macedonia - Finance, Macedonia - Resources, PR
Klikni tukaj za branje prispevka v slovenskem jeziku.
As part of the Slovenian Development Cooperation Program, from 29 June to 2 July 2021, workshops were conducted in North Macedonia needed for the development of capacities in conducting financial investigations and for confiscating assets of crime and property of illegal origin from criminals.
The European Union pays particular attention to the prevention and fight against organized and serious crime by stepping up the activities of law enforcement agencies to confiscate proceeds of crime and property of illegal origin. This issue is important within the EU, as well as in the integration of the Republic of North Macedonia into the European Union. Financial investigations will be one of the key indicators that the EU will monitor when assessing the fulfilment of the criteria for EU membership.
Financial investigations are an extensive professional interdisciplinary field, where Slovenian development cooperation has been providing support to law enforcement agencies in North Macedonia for several years, and this time the work was carried out by exchanging expertise in analytics and standard operating procedures in conducting financial investigations. Thirty-two representatives of all relevant Macedonian institutions actively attended the workshops: the Ministry of Interior, State Prosecution, Financial Police, Customs Administration, Tax Administration and Financial Intelligence Office. On the Slovenian side as well, comprehensive cooperation was ensured – representatives of key Slovenian bodies for conducting financial investigations participated: the Ministry of the Interior and the Police, State Prosecution for Organised Crime and Corruption and Financial Administration.
The project is part of the programme activities of Slovenia’s Development Cooperation Programme financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and carried out together with the State Prosecution, Financial Administration, Ministry of Interior and Police of the Republic of Slovenia.
Further information:
Andreja Dolničar Jeraj
Programme Director
Centre for European Perspective
17. 6. 2021 | Macedonia - Finance, Macedonia - Resources, PR
Klikni tukaj za branje prispevka v slovenskem jeziku.
“Crime does not pay off,” is a message that is being resolutely approached in North Macedonia and which the competent Macedonian investigation and prosecution authorities want to spread across the country with their work and results in the field of financial investigations and confiscation of assets of illicit origin act.
To this end, Slovenia continues to provide development assistance to North Macedonia in strengthening the capacities necessary for the successful implementation of these legal competencies. From 29 June to 2 July 2021, workshops will be held in North Macedonia in the field of analytical work and operational procedures in financial investigation, where colleagues will exchange Macedonian and Slovenian experiences.
The project is part of the programme activities of Slovenia’s Development Cooperation Programme financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and carried out together with the State Prosecution, Financial Administration, Ministry of Interior and Police of the Republic of Slovenia.
Further information:
Andreja Dolničar Jeraj
Programme Director
Centre for European Perspective
