OSCE Mission presents booklet on state of corruption in Kosovo

PRISTINA, 17 October 2006 - The OSCE Mission presented today a booklet with expert findings on the state of corruption in Kosovo at a second workshop on this issue organized by the OSCE Mission and the Office of the Prime Minister.

"We designed these workshops to improve compliance with good governance principles," said Wilma Theuws, Deputy Director of the Mission's Democratization Department. "In addition, they aimed at creating transparency and oversight of decision-making bodies, as well as of financial allocation mechanisms in Kosovo's institutions."

The booklet, 'The Anti-Corruption Action Plan: Social and Economic Necessity for Kosovo', analyses societal factors that contribute to corruption, public perceptions of the problem, and possible steps needed to combat corruption. It also suggests that the state of corruption, if not tackled immediately, will pose serious risks to any potential for economic progress. It also presents in detail the responsibilities of Kosovo's new Anti-Corruption Agency.

The publication was launched at a meeting of members of the Assembly of Kosovo, representatives of Kosovo's Provisional Institutions of Self-Government and law enforcement agencies.

It is available in Albanian, Serbian and English on the website of the OSCE Mission.