Zaev: Police and security services to reach of western European standards

Following all the obstacles and challenges that the Ministry of Interior was faced with, we have managed to restore the basic function of this service – the pillar of statehood, the core of security and safety of the Republic of Macedonia, but at the same time a friend and protector of citizens, said Prime Minister Zoran Zaev at the observance of Macedonian Police Day in Stip on Sunday.

He said the new goal of the police and security services is to reach the standards of the western European counterpart institutions.

“The results are already here and they will be even better when all stakeholders in society look forward into the future, jointly working on implementing regulations for reforms in the country’s institutions and services,” said Zaev.

According to him, it is very important for Macedonia to professionalize and depoliticize services, building a system that ensures the police’s basic functions, regardless of the political option in power.

“The police and the MoI should never again be abused for political purposes and support of individuals in power,” added Zaev.

Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski said salaries of police offices would increase as of December.

“Reforms that bring back the citizens’ trust in the MoI are high on our agenda. We are reforming the system of communications surveillance, we are enhancing the external control over the police, we are intensifying cooperation with civil society organizations, we are allowing for control and criticism,” said Spasovski.

Referring to last year’s violence in Parliament, the minister said the executors and planners of the events must be punished.

“Especially those who abused the police and tried to turn their back on their own people,” added Spasovski.

Today’s exercises, which took place at the Stip city stadium, demonstrated the police capabilities and involved 600 police officers. Similar events took place in Ohrid and Skopje over the past week.