Corruption is a burden for all countries in the Western Balkans, as it undermines trust and supports organized crime, and governments need to cooperate across borders to combat threats that target everyone, said British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Julian Riley.
A regional meeting dedicated to the fight against corruption in the Western Balkans was held yesterday in Sarajevo, as part of this year's Berlin Process, hosted by the United Kingdom.
The conference "Anti-corruption as a driver of good governance in the Western Balkans" brought together representatives of the ministries of justice of the Western Balkan countries, representatives of the European Union and international partners, as well as experts, the academic community and civil society organizations, who focused on strengthening integrity systems through regional cooperation and anti-corruption as the foundation of regional stability and economic growth, announced the British Embassy in Podgorica.
Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro for Justice and Anti-Corruption Momo Koprivica was one of the conference participants.
"This event represents an important milestone in regional efforts to build trust, strengthen the rule of law, and create transparent and just governance systems, which is crucial for a stable and prosperous future of the Western Balkans and the region's European path," the statement reads.
Recommendations were agreed, committing the participants of the Berlin Process to strengthen the political and legal framework for preventing and combating corruption and organised crime as key foundations for regional integration, economic growth and strengthening the integrity system. The most important recommendations include the adoption and effective implementation of the International Agreement on the Exchange of Information for the Verification of Asset Declarations, initiated by the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative. These recommendations will be submitted for consideration and adoption at the meeting of Home Affairs Ministers on 15 October in London and at the Leaders' Summit on 22 October in the same city.
The conference was organized by the British Government, the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative, the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with partners HELVETAS and the European Union Support to Police Agencies in BiH (EUPA4BiH) project, and with the support of the AIRE Center and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).
"Corruption is a burden for all countries in the Western Balkans because it undermines trust and supports organized crime. Governments need to cooperate across borders to counter threats that target everyone. Joining the International Agreement on the Exchange of Information for the Verification of Asset Declarations is a step in the right direction," stressed the British Ambassador to BiH, Julian Riley.
"Building trust, transparency and integrity are our focus today. True progress comes from openness and information exchange within the network we are building. It is important to show citizens that those in power are there for them and that they act with integrity. This is precisely the essence of the fight against corruption and restoring trust in institutions, because only by working together can we succeed in this great fight," said Albert Hani, Director of the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative.
Bonus video:
