A high-ranking official of the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gabriel Escobar, said today that corruption is a big problem for the entire region and that is why Washington wants to see that the European road is open to all the countries of the Western Balkans.
“What I could say is that for the region, for the entire region, corruption is a big problem. I am happy to see that the accession process gives a central place to the rule of law as a condition for entry (into the EU),” said Eskobar in a video interview with the Macedonian portal “360 degrees”.
He pointed out that there is another reason why the US wants to see that the European road is open to all the countries of the region, Beta reports.
“Each country that has entered the EU is more stable, more democratic and more advanced, and at the same time fairer in terms of justice for its citizens. This is another reason why we want to see you on the path to EU membership,” said the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State secretary.
When asked if there will soon be new names from North Macedonia on the US sanctions list, the so-called “black list”, he replied that “there will certainly be”.
“Let me just say that this administration, the Biden administration, is committed to fighting corruption. Because corruption is so corrosive to societies. We cannot announce sanctions, but rest assured that there will be,” Escobar said.
