Cross-Table Projects and Programs

IV.A.1  Anti-Corruption Initiative

The Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe has identified the fight against corruption and other fraudulent and criminal activities in the region as a high priority. The Anti Corruption Initiative was formally adopted by the members of the Pact at the meeting of the Working Table III in Sarajevo on 16^th February 2000.

The Initiative is based upon a strong monitoring mechanism as described in the Action Plan, which envisages a three-stage process of diagnosis, policy recommendations and monitoring. The first two phases should take no more than a few months. The third stage is a more permanent one, the monitoring process. The Steering Group will push forward and monitor the implementation of the Compact, including the range of policies identify in phase two, that are crucial to achieving results in terms of actually decreasing corruption in SEE. The monitoring process will entail regular reporting, continued policy dialogue and regional co-operation. Through cycles of missions, visits, reports, assessment and identification of work programs at meetings of the Steering Group, the monitoring process will establish a permanent dialogue between the countries and the Steering Group.

The monitoring mechanism is described in details in the Action Plan. It mainly uses the principle of peer reviews.

Background: Corruption and other fraudulent and criminal activities are highly detrimental to the stability of all democratic institutions, and they undermine the business climate, discourage domestic and foreign investment, constitute a waste of economic resources and hamper economic growth, and, therefore,

Stability Pact Commitments, Objectives: The Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe has identified corruption as one of the main issues of SEE. The Anti-Corruption Initiative was formally adopted by the members of the Pact at the meeting of the Working Table III in Sarajevo on 16^th February 2000. The objective of SPAI is to help countries of the region, which wish to do so, to build up mechanisms and legislation and practices to fight against corruption.

Description: The Initiative intends to address the following sectors: ratification and implementation of international instruments, promoting good governance, strengthening legislation and promoting the rule of law, promoting transparency and integrity in business operations, and promoting an active civil society. The intention is not to interfere in internal corruption cases, but rather to help and advise in institution building. By coordinating efforts of the international community and by working with recipient countries through a true and responsible dialogue based on a strong monitoring mechanism, the Anti Corruption Initiative will accelerate the process of building up the right institutions and practices in South Eastern Europe.

Progress to date: The European Commission, the OECD, the Council of Europe, the World Bank, the United States and the Office of the Special Coordinator prepared jointly this Initiative. Efforts to eliminate corruption in the region are now dependent upon the full political commitment of the public authorities and funds made available by the donor community.

Contacts – Lead agency/agencies: European Commission, Council of Europe, OECD, World Bank, USA and the OCSP.