The Republic of Macedonia is ranked in the group of states that fully meet standards in the fight against human trafficking, joining countries like the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Austria, Finland, France, Germany in the latest U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report, said Thursday Minister of Interior Gordana Jankuloska at the joint press conference with Minister of Labor and Social Policy Dime Spasov and United States Deputy Chief of Mission Brian Aggeler.

"Macedonia's ranking in the Tier One states represents another significant achievement and clear acknowledgment of our continual engagement and commitment in fighting this type of organized crime. The report notes the government has sustained its vigorous prosecution and conviction of trafficking offenders, and proactively investigated trafficking complicity", said Jankuloska.

She stressed that Macedonia and Slovenia were the only countries from the broader Balkan region in the Tier 1 group.

"Macedonia is the only country from the EU candidate-states that has been continually ranked together with developed western countries. On the other side, EU members such as Romania, Greece and Bulgaria are part of the Tier 2 group whose governments do not fully comply with minimum standards", added Jankuloska.

U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Aggeler congratulated Macedonia for once again achieving the Tier 1 status with regards to the fight against human trafficking.

"This achievement demonstrates the Government's efforts against this hideous crime. The United States are happy that Macedonia is a partner in the human trafficking prevention campaign, hoping for further cooperation on other issues of vital significance in the rule of law field", said Aggeler.

According to him, cooperation and coordination of the MoI with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, as well as their cooperation with the NGO sector were of crucial significance in the effective fight against human trafficking.