EUSR/EUD welcomes action at Cantonal level to tackle corruption

The EU Special Representative/EU Delegation today commended the round table held on 16th June at the initiative of the government and the Parliamentary Assembly of Canton Sarajevo to strengthen the fight against corruption in the Canton. The event was supported by the EU funded project “Strengthening anti-corruption capacities and CSO networks in that area” that provides technical assistance to major anti-corruption stakeholders in BiH – the Agency for the prevention of corruption and coordination of the fight against corruption, bodies and institutions with an anti-corruption mandate at the level of the entities, and Brcko District – as well as to NGOs that implement anti-corruption projects financed by the EU. The European Union funds this project in the amount of 444,480 EUR under IPA 2010.

According to corruption perception indexes and available statistics most of the areas at risk – such as education and health – are within the remit of the Cantons. This is therefore a welcome precedent whereby a joint initiative was taken to address corruption at Cantonal level. The EUSR/EUD also welcomes the participation of the BiH Agency for Prevention of Corruption and on Coordination in Fight against Corruption in the event. Such an initiative should further enhance the capacities of the anti-corruption bodies in BiH to effectively implement at operational level the anticorruption strategic policy documents within a comprehensive, coordinated and harmonised approach.

Discussions emphasised the utmost importance of drawing up policy documents, backed up by adequate implementing structures which are tailored to the cantonal specifics and which can ensure proper cooperation and coordination with other relevant authorities at all levels of government. As a result of the roundtable Sarajevo authorities committed to launch the process of drawing up a policy document within 60 days.

Read the remarks of Richard Wood, Head of HAPSS, here

Europa.ba