Action against Economic Crime in North Macedonia

Back North Macedonia adopts new National Strategy to combat money laundering and counter terrorism financing, aligned with European standards

Irena BABUSHKOVSKA

Modified 3 Months ago.

North Macedonia adopts new National Strategy to combat money laundering and counter terrorism financing, aligned with European standards

The Government of North Macedonia officially adopted a new National Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Strategy and Action Plan, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to combat financial crime.

The strategy was developed through an inter-agency working group, with expert guidance provided by the EU and Council of Europe joint Action against Economic Crime in North Macedonia. This collaborative effort began in December 2024, aiming to ensure that the new strategy is tailored to address the unique risks and priorities related to money laundering and terrorist financing in North Macedonia, in line with European standards and Council of Europe recommendations. The AEC team provided key recommendations based on European standards and best international practices and engaged in wide consultations with the public stakeholders throughout the process.

The adoption of the National AML/CFT Strategy and Action Plan will help improve co-ordination among government agencies and provide clear guidance in the process of preventing and combating economic crime.

The new Strategy and Action Plan will enhance operational effectiveness and ensure that measures remain responsive to emerging challenges in economic crime.
This initiative is implemented by the “Action against economic crime in North Macedonia”, within the framework of the European Union/Council of Europe joint Programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.

Skopje, North Macedonia 24 February 2026

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The Action against Economic Crime in North Macedonia (AEC-MKD) is implemented within the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” running from January 2023 until December 2026. It aims to strengthen the capacity of the public institutions in preventing and combating economic crime, including corruption, money laundering and organised crime.

What is the goal(s) and objective(s) of the action?

The overall objective of the action is to enhance capacities of public actors to ensure rule of law and governance by effectively preventing and addressing economic crime, particularly corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing.

The action will focus on supporting the authorities in several directions including:

1. Improved legal and operational framework on preventing and combating corruption;

2. Enhanced AML/CFT prevention mechanisms and

3. Enhanced capacities of authorities to conduct financial investigations.

The proposed action will contribute to address strategically important remaining vulnerabilities, which impact the effectiveness of the AML/CFT regime.

Who benefits from the action?

Public Authorities: Financial Intelligence Office, State Commission for Prevention of Corruption, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, supervisory authorities, Law Enforcement Agencies,

Private sector-obliged entities by Law

Ultimately citizens of North Macedonia.

How does the action work?

It builds upon the results achieved and lessons learned during the implementation of Phase I and II of the Horizontal Facility by continuing its support to effective implementation of key recommendations of the Council of Europe’s monitoring mechanisms: Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) and the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL).

The action will adopt a multifaceted approach consisting of:

providing expert advice and recommendations for improvement of the regulatory and operational frameworks;
strengthening institutional capacities to address economic crimes through training sessions, workshops and other capacity building methods, and
c) strengthening inter-agency and international co-operation in addressing economic crimes.

What do we expect to achieve?

The action aims to ensure:

Improved capacities of public institutions to ensure rule of law and governance by effectively preventing and addressing economic crimes, particularly corruption, money laundering, and terrorist financing. This will be achieved through important measures including improved legal and operational framework on preventing and combating corruption, enhanced anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing prevention mechanisms, and enhanced capacities of authorities to conduct financial investigations.
Reduction in the incidence of economic crimes, increased transparency and accountability in public institutions, and strengthened public trust in the government's ability to combat economic crimes is expected to be achieved.

What is the budget of the action?

The total budget of the action is 835.000,00 Euros.

The budget allocated to the overall Horizontal Facility programme amounts to ca. 41 Million EUR (85% funded by the European Union, 15% by the Council of Europe).

How to get more information?

More information regarding the Action against economic crime can be found on the following websites

About Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye

The “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe that enables the Western Balkans Beneficiaries and Türkiye to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with the European standards, which is also a priority for the EU enlargement process.