Opening conference of the project “Strengthening anti-corruption capacities and CSO networks in the area” was held on today in Sarajevo.
Besides presentation of the planned activities and expected results of the project, the content and process of preparation of the strategic anti-corruption documents, which have to be adopted by the end of 2014 was also discussed at the Conference.
Holger Schroeder, Chargé d’Affaires a.i at the EU Delegation to BiH stated that the project will, among the other things, help in the development of new Anticorruption Strategy and Action plan, in close cooperation with civil society organizations.
“The project is a part of wider EU efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina in this area which includes support to law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, support to better accountability and transparency, improving public finance management, and support to civil society organizations ” said Schroeder in his opening remarks.
He also pointed out that corruption and the fight against corruption in BiH, before all require a commitment of politicians themselves, and their support to the institutions that operate within their mandates to address these issues.
“We need effective law enforcement agencies, as well as judges and prosecutors who are not afraid to take on these complex cases. Also is needed the engagement of civil society, as well as the media that will jointly monitor developments in cases concerning corruption, but also to emphasize all the successes that have been achieved in this field” added Schroeder.
Sead Lisak, Director of the Agency for prevention of corruption and coordination of the fight against corruption (APIK) stated that BiH needs a modern, engaged and, above all, brave strategy to combat corruption. “Taking into account all the international commitments undertaken by BiH by signing the conventions, recognizing and applying the best European practices in similar matters, however, we will try to make it a domestic product”.
The European Union funds this project in the amount of 444.480.00 EUR from the Instrument for Pre–Accession Assistance (IPA 2010).
The purpose of the project which will be implemented in the following 21 months is to focus on strengthening institutional and administrative capacity of the APIK to effectively fight and prevent corruption, support institutions mandated to combat and prevent corruption on different administrative levels and coordination mechanisms among them, as well as on support of cooperation and coordination among governmental and non-governmental organisations fighting corruption.
The project will be implemented by the Consortium led by the HD European Consulting Group, alongside partners DBB Akademie, Sequa GmbH and Centre for the Study of Democracy.
Read the full speech by Mr. Schroeder here
