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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Text of anti-corruption national strategy to be completed by year's end

Belgrade, 9 December 2004

Serbian Assistant Minister of Justice Aleksandra Popovic said that the Ministry, in cooperation with other ministries, will complete the text of the Serbian government's national strategy for combating corruption by year's end.

Chairman of the government's Anti-Corruption Council Verica Barac

Author: Fonet

Speaking at a ceremony marking the ratification of the UN Convention Against Corruption, Popovic said that the document will be included in regular parliamentary procedure early next year.

Chairman of the government's Anti-Corruption Council Verica Barac said that it is very important to ratify the convention as soon as possible, because the establishment of rules is paramount in combating corruption.

In view of the Council's experiences and the existing level of corruption in Serbia, it is necessary to establish a state body that would have not only an advisory role, but certain rights as well.

Speaking on the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day, which marked the first anniversary of the signing of the UN Convention Against Corruption, Advisor to the UN Resident Coordinator to Serbia-Montenegro Nicolas Hercules said that 110 countries have signed the convention this year, but only nine have ratified it. It is necessary that another 30 countries ratify the convention so that it can come into full force.

"The Convention Against Corruption is significant because it sets international standards in the fight against corruption, which unfortunately is rather common worldwide, and sets an obligation to countries which ratified it to punish the giving and taking of bribes", Hercules explained.

Vladimir Goati, the President of Transparency Serbia, a non-governmental organisation, said that a survey on the relation between the development of society and the level of corruption clearly shows that corruption is an obstacle to social development.

According to Goati, apart from raising public awareness of the problem, it is also important that all bodies involved in the fight against corruption be financially independent.