North Macedonia Ratifies the Treaty on Exchange of Data for the Verification of Asset Declarations

North Macedonia became the first country to ratify the International Treaty on Exchange of Data for the Verification of Asset Declarations, developed and negotiated under the auspices of the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI). The Treaty was initially signed in 2021 by Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, and later Moldova in 2023. The Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia adopted the Law ratifying the Treaty on August 13th and it came into force on August 23rd.

The International Treaty on Exchange of Data for the Verification of Asset Declarations aims to prevent and combat corruption by providing for direct administrative exchange of information concerning asset declarations between the Parties of the Treaty. The Treaty enables anti-corruption bodies to communicate formally, if the ratifying countries decide to, with each other regarding data on foreign assets and interests, significantly enhancing verification of declarations and demonstrating essential commitment to the fight against corruption and strengthening cooperation in the Southeast Europe region.

The basis of the Treaty is the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and States Parties Resolution 6/4, which encourages Member States to consider the possibility of concluding multilateral agreements on civil and administrative matters relating to corruption, including international cooperation.

The Treaty was developed under the Southeast Europe Regional Programme on Strengthening the Capacity of Anti-Corruption Authorities and Civil Society to Combat Corruption and Contribute to the UNCAC Review Process, implemented by the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and with financial support by the Austrian Development Agency.

Work on its ratification and implementation is currently continuing under the SEE-TAC II Programme, once again financially supported by the Austrian Development Agency and implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Photo: Meta.mk