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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Fight against corruption to be intensified in upcoming period

Belgrade, 23 September 2008

Serbian Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic said today that Serbia should be concerned since its position at this year’s “Transparency International” rating concerning Corruption Perception Index (CPI) is extremely low comparing to countries in the region, including the former Yugoslav republics.

Malovic estimated that Serbia’s position concerns us, because being the 85th position out of 180 countries is a very bad rating, but added that this should be an incentive to state bodies to intensify their fight against corruption.

She stressed that the Serbian government is ready to fight against corruption in the right way within the competent ministries, and recalled that the Ministry of Justice prepared a set of anti-corruption laws that are in parliamentary procedure.

According to Malovic, Serbian parliament should discuss draft laws on the Anti-Corruption Agency, confiscation of profits gained through criminal activity and responsibility of legal entities.

The Ministry of Justice is also revising and appointing members of the commission for national anti-corruption strategy implementation, she added.

She said that corruption in Serbia exists, but CPI is ranked higher than corruption really exists. Therefore, it is necessary to establish the anti-corruption agency, which will be able to determine the real level of corruption in Serbia.

Malovic recalled that the Serbian government unanimously accepted the bills on anti-corruption agency, which shows that Serbia has the political will to suppress corruption.

The government is ready to make all necessary steps for Serbia to improve its CPI, stressed the Minister.

According to Malovic there are several reasons for the stagnation concerning CPI, including two elections, parliamentary sessions which were not held since November 2007 during which time parliament could not adopt laws.

Parliament did not hold sessions and there was no ground for the development of anti-corruption system, said Malovic.

She recalled that Serbia fully satisfied 12 out of 25 the European Council member state proposals for anti-corruption fight, while it partially fulfilled the 13 remaining proposals.

Serbia explained that, contrary to CPI, the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) report on fulfilment of proposals refers to the real state, so it cannot be said that Serbia did not make progress, but reiterated that the Serbian government will make efforts to intensify anti-corruption fight in the upcoming period.