In democratic states, secrecy is not eternal. The US, after several decades, released documents related to the assassination of John Kennedy, the Pentagon Papers, the CIA's MKUltra program, Operation Northwoods, the Cold War, and even part of the September 11 files.

Some of these documents were tied to national security, intelligence services, military operations and the assassination of statesmen. And yet, after 15, 25, 35 or 50 years, the public interest was placed above the need for permanent secrecy.

That's why the question for Macedonia is simple: on what grounds does the contract for the privatization of the power distribution network remain inaccessible to the public even after more than 20 years?

This is no military secret, but a contract that sold off the power distribution grid - infrastructure that directly affects all citizens, all companies and the entire economy.

If the contract is classified, then the institutions must say who classified it, when, at what level of secrecy, how long the classification lasts and whether a review was ever carried out. If the reasons for secrecy have ceased, a procedure for reclassification, that is, declassification, must be opened.

Citizens have the right to know under what terms the power distribution was sold, what obligations the investor took on and whether the state protected the public interest and the national infrastructure.

After 20 years of silence, the question is no longer only legal. It's a question of democracy, accountability and respect for citizens.