Distinguished guests, I’m honored to be here today to speak about the fight against corruption, an issue that is increasingly vital in Central and Eastern Europe. Looking around the room, I see that we are a diverse group – civil society, government officials, journalists, judges, diplomats – and everyone cares deeply about combatting corruption. We also share profound concern about the people and the future of Macedonia, and are committed to working together in the fight against corruption.

In our interconnected world, the harmful impacts of corruption are global – it is a massive tax on the private sector, which in turn hinders poverty reduction and limits global growth. The World Bank estimates that people around the world pay more than $1 trillion in bribes every year. That’s right, a one with 12 zeroes behind it; a number which is difficult to comprehend. The European Commission recently found that corruption costs the European Union as a whole 120 billion euros every single year. That’s more than 10 times Macedonia’s GDP.

But the economy isn’t the only casualty – national security is also threatened wherever corruption festers. The world is full of examples of unchecked corruption leading to protests and unrest with people demanding an end to corruption and “business as usual.” As our Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said just a few days ago, “Corruption is not only a democracy killer. It opens space for malign foreign influence over our politics and our economies.” The crisis in Ukraine serves as a blunt warning to all of us that corruption is a serious menace to national, regional, and even global security.

To be sure, the fight against corruption continues in America as well. From our earliest years as a nation, to the recent news of a damaging corruption network involving U.S. Navy officials, we know how difficult it is to root out bribery and nepotism. No country is without those who wish to engage in corrupt behavior. This is why it is so important for citizens to have confidence in the authorities to root it out wherever it emerges. People need to know that no matter what party an individual belongs to, who their friends and business partners are, what position they hold, that they will be held accountable.

The Southeast European Leadership for Development and Integrity (SELDI) report shows that Macedonia has had some success in combatting corruption. Macedonia’s “Corruption Profile” indicates modest reductions in bribery, pressure, and susceptibility since the last survey in 2002. However, the SELDI report confirms that, despite an adequate legal framework, the implementation and enforcement of legislation remains a problem in Macedonia that needs to be addressed. Much remains to be done in terms of transparency, integrity, conflicts of interest, ethics training and enforcement, and whistleblower protection.

The government needs to demonstrate the necessary political will and empower those fighting for accountability and transparency with the right tools. Chronically understaffed and underfunded offices, like the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption and the State Audit Office, play important roles in Macedonia’s anti-corruption policy. I hope the Government and Parliament will give these offices the resources and staff they need to fulfill their mandates, coupled with the political will to ensure that allegations of corruption, no matter who is involved, receive the scrutiny they deserve.

The United States stands with Macedonia – its citizens, government, civil society and media. We are already providing tools and best practices in the spirit of cooperation and partnership. USAID, for example, funds a number of multi-year programs totaling nearly $12 million, such as the Anti-Corruption project, civil society, judicial and independent media programs, and support to micro-enterprise access to public procurement. The State Department’s law enforcement and legal advisor programs are also active in the fight, from providing specialized training for judges and prosecutors to helping implement some of the GRECO recommendations. We are also bringing U.S. anti-corruption experts to Macedonia this year, the first of whom will arrive on Sunday, and we are planning on two additional experts later in 2015.

There is no easy “one size fits all” solution, but one thing is certain: a key in the fight against corruption in an empowered, free and independent media. The press must be allowed to insist on accountability, and to expose graft and fraud where they exist. Libel laws should not be a tool to silence those who call for accountability.

Corruption is a complicated issue, but my point today is a simple one – corruption continues to hinder economic growth and undermine security in Macedonia, and the United States is committed to working with our partners in the government, donor community, media, and civil society to combat this scourge. I look forward to working with you as we redouble efforts this year to fight corruption, strengthen judicial independence, promote open government and transparent public procurement systems, and support independent media and civil society.

Thank you