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States News Service
May 4, 2011 Wednesday
SOUTH CAUCASUS MUST DO MORE TO FIGHT CORRUPTION:
NEW REPORTS SHOW ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA NEED GREATER
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS
BERLIN
The following information was released by Transparency International:
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have made little progress in the past
year adopting or implementing anti-corruption measures, according to
the latest assessment reports released today by Transparency
International, which calls on the governments of these countries to
introduce greater transparency and accountability in all areas of
government.
The reports, which were compiled by TI chapters in each country, focus
on reforms in the judiciary and in the public sector and they assess
whether each country is complying with international anti-corruption
conventions and implementing recommendations made by the Group of
States against Corruption (GRECO), the Council of Europe body that
monitors anti-corruption efforts.
Now in their second edition, the TI reports show that there has been
some improvement in Georgia with the introduction of an electronic
procurement system but neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan has successfully
implemented anti-corruption reforms. However, in Azerbaijan, which has
seen significant street protests, in early 2011 there was a new wave
of legislation.
"These new reports show that not enough is being done. Countries in
the region should move quickly to strengthen anti-corruption policies
and good governance. They should take note that citizens are no longer
willing to be passive spectators; they are increasingly showing that
they are tired of mismanagement and corruption," said Jana
Mittermaier, Head of TI's Liaison Office to the European Union.
Each European Neighbourhood Policy: monitoring anti-corruption report
evaluates whether the countries are delivering on commitments made in
their 2006 Action Plans signed as part of the European Union's
European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The policy is designed to
strengthen a shared commitment to common values, including good
governance and sustainable practices guaranteeing the rule of law,
between the European Union and its neighbouring countries by land and
sea.
The TI reports are issued ahead of the European Commission's Action
Plan annual reviews for the three countries, slated for 10 May, as
well as a long-awaited statement about the status of the ENP Review.
They offer a solid, indicator-based framework for benchmarking
progress in the ENP area related to anti-corruption policies and
practices. TI's approach, which is more detailed and critical than the
Commission's own review mechanism, highlights the importance of
independent input in the long-term move towards greater transparency
and accountability in government.
Key findings and recommendations of the reports include:
Armenia : The report notes only little change in Armenia throughout
2010, particularly in the areas concerning judicial reform and civil
service administration, which are seen to lack independence and
transparency and in the case of the civil service administration is
highly politicised. Some progress has been made regarding the
implementation of some of GRECO recommendations, in particular, the
adoption of guidelines for the detection of corruption offences, the
abolition of parliamentary immunity and a way to handle complaints
about breaches of ethical rules within the public administration.
However, in all three areas implementation remains the main challenge.
On a positive note a Law on Procurement entered into effect on January
1, 2011.
Azerbaijan : The justice sector suffers from weak enforcement, lack of
transparency and limited independence as the executive branch exerts
strong control over judicial appointments. The civil service has made
some progress regarding recruitment of young professionals and has
increased the ethics and integrity training but lack of managerial
skills continues to weaken the public sector. The government
introduced a new financial intelligence unit, a requirement of GRECO,
and in early 2011 it introduced a series of anti-bribery laws in the
penal code aimed at quelling dissent and regaining citizen trust.
Georgia : Insufficient independence of the judiciary and the civil
service is a key factor weakening Georgia's good governance potential.
Especially in the civil service, high politicisation remains a major
stumbling block, although some progress in technical areas looks
promising, such as the recent adoption of an electronic procurement
system. The report recommends that for Georgia to continue making
progress in its fight against corruption it must improve transparency
and impartiality in both its laws and the enforcement of those laws.
###
Transparency International is the global civil society organisation
leading the fight against corruption.
Note to editors: The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was developed
in 2004 and now covers 16 countries that surround the EU, 12 of which
have Action Plans in place. The current review of the ENP is expected
to introduce performance-based benchmarking criteria. (Russia is not
part of the ENP; it has a strategic partnership with the EU).
The 2009 assessment reports on Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia
released in May 2010 can be accessed here. Interviews can be arranged
in Armenian, Azerbaijani, English, Georgian, German and Russian.
From: A. Papazian
May 4, 2011 Wednesday
SOUTH CAUCASUS MUST DO MORE TO FIGHT CORRUPTION:
NEW REPORTS SHOW ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA NEED GREATER
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS
BERLIN
The following information was released by Transparency International:
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have made little progress in the past
year adopting or implementing anti-corruption measures, according to
the latest assessment reports released today by Transparency
International, which calls on the governments of these countries to
introduce greater transparency and accountability in all areas of
government.
The reports, which were compiled by TI chapters in each country, focus
on reforms in the judiciary and in the public sector and they assess
whether each country is complying with international anti-corruption
conventions and implementing recommendations made by the Group of
States against Corruption (GRECO), the Council of Europe body that
monitors anti-corruption efforts.
Now in their second edition, the TI reports show that there has been
some improvement in Georgia with the introduction of an electronic
procurement system but neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan has successfully
implemented anti-corruption reforms. However, in Azerbaijan, which has
seen significant street protests, in early 2011 there was a new wave
of legislation.
"These new reports show that not enough is being done. Countries in
the region should move quickly to strengthen anti-corruption policies
and good governance. They should take note that citizens are no longer
willing to be passive spectators; they are increasingly showing that
they are tired of mismanagement and corruption," said Jana
Mittermaier, Head of TI's Liaison Office to the European Union.
Each European Neighbourhood Policy: monitoring anti-corruption report
evaluates whether the countries are delivering on commitments made in
their 2006 Action Plans signed as part of the European Union's
European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The policy is designed to
strengthen a shared commitment to common values, including good
governance and sustainable practices guaranteeing the rule of law,
between the European Union and its neighbouring countries by land and
sea.
The TI reports are issued ahead of the European Commission's Action
Plan annual reviews for the three countries, slated for 10 May, as
well as a long-awaited statement about the status of the ENP Review.
They offer a solid, indicator-based framework for benchmarking
progress in the ENP area related to anti-corruption policies and
practices. TI's approach, which is more detailed and critical than the
Commission's own review mechanism, highlights the importance of
independent input in the long-term move towards greater transparency
and accountability in government.
Key findings and recommendations of the reports include:
Armenia : The report notes only little change in Armenia throughout
2010, particularly in the areas concerning judicial reform and civil
service administration, which are seen to lack independence and
transparency and in the case of the civil service administration is
highly politicised. Some progress has been made regarding the
implementation of some of GRECO recommendations, in particular, the
adoption of guidelines for the detection of corruption offences, the
abolition of parliamentary immunity and a way to handle complaints
about breaches of ethical rules within the public administration.
However, in all three areas implementation remains the main challenge.
On a positive note a Law on Procurement entered into effect on January
1, 2011.
Azerbaijan : The justice sector suffers from weak enforcement, lack of
transparency and limited independence as the executive branch exerts
strong control over judicial appointments. The civil service has made
some progress regarding recruitment of young professionals and has
increased the ethics and integrity training but lack of managerial
skills continues to weaken the public sector. The government
introduced a new financial intelligence unit, a requirement of GRECO,
and in early 2011 it introduced a series of anti-bribery laws in the
penal code aimed at quelling dissent and regaining citizen trust.
Georgia : Insufficient independence of the judiciary and the civil
service is a key factor weakening Georgia's good governance potential.
Especially in the civil service, high politicisation remains a major
stumbling block, although some progress in technical areas looks
promising, such as the recent adoption of an electronic procurement
system. The report recommends that for Georgia to continue making
progress in its fight against corruption it must improve transparency
and impartiality in both its laws and the enforcement of those laws.
###
Transparency International is the global civil society organisation
leading the fight against corruption.
Note to editors: The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was developed
in 2004 and now covers 16 countries that surround the EU, 12 of which
have Action Plans in place. The current review of the ENP is expected
to introduce performance-based benchmarking criteria. (Russia is not
part of the ENP; it has a strategic partnership with the EU).
The 2009 assessment reports on Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia
released in May 2010 can be accessed here. Interviews can be arranged
in Armenian, Azerbaijani, English, Georgian, German and Russian.
From: A. Papazian