| Opening speech of Ms. Vesna Ratkovic PhD, Chairperson of Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative, at the Regional Anti-Corruption Conference held in Bucharest, Romania |
Your Excellencies, Dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm excited to address you as Chairperson of Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI), opening the event, which will combine marking the 10th anniversary of the Initiative with presentation of the findings and conclusions of the survey focused on „Integrity and resistance to corruption of the criminal judicial system in South-Eastern Europe“. Thus, in the course of the next two days, we'll recall some pleasant memories related to the establishment and strengthening of RAI, as well as we'll touch some problems of the day by discussing and analyzing the survey results, trying to identify common challenges in figthing high level corruption, pointing out the areas that need assistance and accordingly orienting the regional policies supporting the field. I would like to thank you all, who have been in touch with RAI activities during the years, fighting for diminishing the destructive influence of corruption over the society health, democratic institutions and economy development. I'm happy to see among us today RAI focal points from SEE countries, people who have worked in the Initiative, counterparts from partner organizations like UNODC and Council of Europe. During the second session the floor will be given to them to share their memories and impressions from their work with/for RAI. Very briefly, I'll try to remind you some of the most important moments related to the history of the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative. RAI is established in Sarajevo in 2000 as SPAI – Stability Pact Anti-corruption Initiative, with the idea to play significant role in the stabilization process in the Balkans. It represented an intergovernmental mechanism focused on fighting corruption – one of the most serious threats to the recovery, economical and social development of the region. The second significant step was made in 2003, when RAI member countries agreed to launch RAI Secretariat in Sarajevo, with the idea to promote regional ownership of the initiative and enhance regional capabilities to lead the fight against corruption in SEE. Currently, it is the only center in SEE dealing solely with anti-corruption issues. The main transition was made with the adoption of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was opened for signature and ratification by the RAI member countries in Zagreb in 2007. By signing the MoU, the signatory countries ensured the financial sustainability of the Sarajevo based Secretariat of the Anti-corruption Initiative by providing certain annual grants and decided for the first time to raise a Chairperson of the Initiative from the region. It was a significant step towards a full regional ownership and leadership of the Anti-corruption Initiative, as the member countries committed themselves to further contribute not only by experts and technical assistance, but also providing financial sustainability, thus demonstrating the involvement of the SEE countries in the fight against corruption. This is the right moment to thank to US government for the strong support. During its first years of existence, RAI Secretariat was financially supported by grants donated by USAID through ABA – ROLI, which ensured its capacity development. Since October 2007, through a decision of the member countries, approved at the Steering Group Meeting in Podgorica, Montenegro, the Anti-corruption Initiative of the Stability Pact (SPAI) has been renamed and received its current name - Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI). In the framework of RAI, which includes 9 member states – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia, and with the support of all the people who worked and made efforts to implement RAI tasks, a number of important results have been achieved. The member countries undertook consistent and complex reforms in their institutional and legislative framework, aiming to decrease the level of corruption and to ensure the efficiency of their policies. In this context, National Anti-corruption Strategies were approved together with Action Plans, underlining the political commitment to address the issue of corruption and state capture. Furthermore, the legal framework was mostly harmonized with the European standards set by the international conventions (all 9 RAI countries have already ratified UNCAC) and sensitive areas (conflict of interest, assets disclosure, free access to information, political parties financing, public procurement, money laundering, etc.) are now regulated. In addition, in all member countries, specialized anti-corruption bodies were created or are now under process of being established, reorganized or strengthened. The rhythm of reforms is now even stronger as Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU on January 1, 2007. Currently, Croatia is looking towards the end of the accession negotiations; while the other SEE member countries focus their efforts towards the same goal. Having in mind that corruption is a social phenomenon with transborder character; our perception is that it should be addressed by the common efforts of all the stakeholders both on national and international level. This is the reason why we are supporting the process of setting up networks of practitioners in various anti-corruption areas, providing the national experts with tools to meet, discuss their problems, share some new ideas and show the success of their work. The most recent example is the Integrity Experts Network agreed in Tirana two weeks ago. RAI Secretariat also supports the communication between young judges and prosecutors – the future of the anti-corruption fight by organizing the annual Summer School from SEE. The next step, which is under consideration, is the establishment of regional platform for cooperation among asset recovery experts. However, though today we celebrate RAI as a success story, there are still some remaining challenges that are waiting for solution. Most of all, it’s the ongoing reform of judiciary and public administration, the negative perception regarding the levels of corruption both from public and business community, the lack of sufficient efforts dealing with education and raising public awareness, understaffed anti-corruption structure and low salaries and the underestimation of prevention, focusing on repression as only feasible solution. These weak points only draw the road ahead: in close cooperation with all partners and major stakeholders in the area, the Anti-corruption Initiative and its Secretariat in Sarajevo will continue, as long as necessary, to provide a regional framework for cooperation among the SEE countries on the anti-corruption field, as a prerequisite for achieving the overall goal of European and Euro – Atlantic integration. I personally want to express my satisfaction, as the Chairperson of RAI, for the last three years. It is an honor for me to assume this responsible function, especially having in mind that Montenegro has the privilege to have its representatives holding the positions of the Executive Secretary previously and Chairperson now. Finally, in this ceremonial occasion I would like to emphasize that RAI is growing, changing and taking new roles, assuming new responsibilities and building capacities to respond to them. At this stage, RAI went beyond the idea it was established on, because it has developed not as a plain network or platform, but an entity for itself, with distinguished identity we RAI members within RCC jointly and harmoniously, built upon. Thank you very much for your attention. Bucharest, Romania
May 21, 2010 |
Secretariat
Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative NEWS
Meeting of the SEECP Directors of National Institutions and Agencies for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime - May 09-10, 2011 - Budva, Montenegro
The Meeting of the SEECP Directors of National Institutions and Agencies for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime took place in Becici, Montenegro, on May 09-10, 2011. The event was held in the framework of SEECP. It was co-organized by Montenegrin Directorate for Anti-Corruption Initiative, Regional Cooperation Council and Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative Secretariat. The Meeting was opened by Mr. Ivan Brajovic - Minister of Interior of Montenegro.
International Workshop 'Conflict of Interest Detection, Management and Resolution Experiences' - April 19-20, 2011- Tirana, Albania
The Albanian High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets (HIDDA), the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat co-organized the workshop on "Conflict of Interest Detection, Management and Resolution Experiences", with the financial support of US State Department. The event took place on April 19-20, 2011, in Tirana, Albania, as part of the the project "Strengthening the Integrity System in South-Eastern Europe".
International Conference on 'Counter Corruption Best Practices - Increased Effectiveness through Interagency and Multi-Sectoral Approaches' - March 07-10, 2011 - Zagreb, Croatia
The International Conference on ''Counter Corruption Best Practices - Increased Effectiveness through Interagency and Multi-Sectoral Approaches'' took place on March 07-10, 2011, in Zagreb, Croatia. The event was co-organized by the United States Department of State Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and the George Marshall European Center for Security Studies in cooperation with the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
Workshop 'Conflict of Interest Prevention, Tools and Measures' - January 20-21, 2011 - Tirana, Albania
The Albanian High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets (HIDDA), the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat co-organized the workshop on "Conflict of Interest Prevention, Tools and Measures", with the financial support of US State Department. The event took place on January 20-21, 2011, in Tirana, Albania, as part of the the project "Strengthening the Integrity System in South-Eastern Europe".
Regional Workshop on the Review Mechanism for the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) - December 08-09,2010 - Belgrade, Serbia
UNODC and Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat coorganized Regional Workshop on the Review Mechanism for the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) on December 8-9, 2010, in Belgrade, Serbia. The event was supported by the Serbian Anti-corruption Agency. The overall objective of the workshop was to develop the participants' capacity to participate in the UNCAC Review Mechanism by presenting the existing requisites applicable to the review, training the participants in the methodology for country reviews and self-assessment checklist, thus enabling them to reproduce the training at national level.
International Conference 'Corruption Prevention in the Midst of Crisis?' - November 22-23, 2010 - Cologne, Germany
The DBB Akademie held its third international anti-corruption conference 'Corruption Prevention in the Midst of Crisis?' on November 22-23, 2010, in Cologne, Germany. The event was supported financially by OLAF through Hercule II Programme. The objectives of the conference were to provide an overview of up-to-date anti-corruption and anti-fraud practices in Europe and to exchange information and best practice examples among the various actors involved in the fight against corruption and fraud in light of the financial crisis.
14th RAI Steering Group Meeting, November 11-12, 2010, Bucharest, Romania
The 14th RAI Steering Group (SG) Meeting took place in Bucharest, Romania, on November 11-12, 2010. The event was hosted by the Romanian Ministry of Justice. The main discussions were focused on the developments in SEE in the area of asset recovery. All Senior Representatives stated that asset recovery is a priority on Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) field in RAI member states.
MoU on the organization of 6th Summer School for Junior Magistrates from SEE signed between RAI Secretariat and Bulgarian National Institute of Justice
The National Institute of Justice of Republic of Bulgaria and the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 10, 2010, on cooperation for the organization of 6th Summer School for Junior Magistrates from South East Europe (SEE). The event represents a forum that brings together young judges and prosecutors from SEE and offers them the possibility to benefit from the knowledge and experience in the anti-corruption area of honorable lecturers from the academic society, international organizations and national anti-corruption bodies.
Steering Group Preliminary Meeting of Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative - September 21-22, 2010 - Trogir, Croatia
National representatives from 7 member states took part in Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) Steering Group Preliminary Meeting on September 21-22, 2010, in Trogir, Croatia. The meeting was envisaged as preparatory forum, where the ideas for the functioning of the Initiative in 2011 should be raised in order to be transformed into decisions a month later at the 14th Steering Group Meeting in Bucharest, Romania.
5th Summer School for Junior Magistrates from SEE, May 31 - June 06, 2010 - Durres, Albania
Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat, in cooperation with the hosting School of Magistrates of Republic of Albania, co-organized the annual Summer School for Junior Magistrates from South - Eastern Europe on May 31 - June 06, 2010, in Durres, Republic of Albania. Launched in 2006 as a forum for exchange of ideas and practices among young judges, prosecutors and investigators, the event was organized for 5th consecutive year and was dedicated to the "International Standards and Cooperation in the Fight against Corruption".
South-Eastern European Anti-Corruption Conference marking 10th Anniversary of the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative - May 20–21, 2010 - Bucharest, Romania
The Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) marked its 10th anniversary with a South-Eastern European Anti-Corruption Conference organized in the House of Parliament in Bucharest, Romania, on May 20-21, 2010. The event was attended by RAI Senior Representatives and national experts representing the Ministries of Justice, Ministries of Interior, Prosecutor's Offices and Courts of Initiative's member states and observers (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Kosovo under UNSCR 1244), as well as international partners such as United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Council of Europe (GRECO), Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and Transparency International (TI) - Romania.
Signing Memorandum of Understanding concerning cooperation in fighting corruption through Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative by Republic of Serbia - May 17, 2010 - Zagreb, Croatia
Republic of Serbia was the last Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) member country that joined the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning cooperation in fighting corruption in South-Eastern Europe (SEE). The MoU was signed by Ms. Snezana Malovic - Minister of Justice of Serbia, on May 17, 2010, in Zagreb, in the premises of Ministry of Justice of Croatia, serving as depositary state to the MoU.
First Regional Workshop on 'Improvement of Justice and Home Affairs Statistics in the Western Balkans' - May 12–14, 2010 - Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
The First Regional Workshop on 'Strengthening of Justice and Home Affairs Statistics in the Western Balkans' was held in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, from 12-14 of May 2010, as part of the project 'Development of Monitoring Instruments for Judicial and Law Enforcement Institutions in the Western Balkans'. The project is supported by EU under CARDS program and has as its main aim to bring justice and home affairs (JHA) statistical systems in compliance with international and EU standards. The event was organized by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in cooperation with Ministry of Justice of Macedonia.
International Conference 'International Collaboration in Conflict of Interest Prevention and Declaration of Assets - a Tool Against Corruption' - May 03-04, 2010 - Tirana, Albania
The International Conference 'International Collaboration in Conflict of Interest Prevention and Declaration of Assets - a Tool Against Corruption' was held in Tirana, Albania, on 03-04 of March, 2010. The event was co-organized by Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat and the Albanian High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets (HIDAA). The Conference was opened by H. E. Prof. Dr. Bamir Topi - President of the Republic of Albania and H.E. Jozefina Çoba Topalli - Speaker of the Albanian Assembly.
International Conference 'Specialized Anti-Corruption Agencies: independent to be effective, effective to lose independence' - March 25-26, 2010 - Jurmala, Latvia
The International Conference 'Specialized Anti-Corruption Agencies: independent to be effective, effective to lose independence' was held in Jurmala, Latvia, on 25th - 26th March, 2010. The event was organized by Transparency International - Latvia and was intended as a platform for leading experts and officials in the field of anti-corruption. The Conference aimed to analyze contextual reasons for creation of specialized anti-corruption agencies, their most effective institutional set-ups and available safeguards against the attempts to weaken their independence.
International Conference on 'Counter Corruption Best Practices for Europe' - March 16-18, 2010 - Sofia, Bulgaria
The International Conference on 'Counter Corruption Best Practices for Europe' took place between March 16-18, 2010, in Sofia, Bulgaria. The event was co-organized by the United States Department of State Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and the George Marshall European Center for Security Studies with the support of the United States Embassy to Bulgaria. The Conference was opened by Mr. Boyko Borissov - Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria and Ambassador James Warlick - US Ambassador to Bulgaria.
Presentation of Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative in NATO Headquarters - February 26, 2010 - Brussels, Belgium
The representatives of Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Ms. Vesna Ratkovic - Chairperson of RAI, Mr. Edmond Dunga - Head of RAI Secretariat made a presentation of the Initiative and its role and activities in South East Europe in NATO Headquarters in Brussels on February 26, 2010. The meeting was attended as well by the representative of Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Mr. Sorin Sterie - Senior Political Advisor on Security, Defence and Justice and Home Affairs in RCC's Liaison Office in Brussels.
Regional Conference on 'Strengthening Regional Cooperation in South-Eastern Europe in the Implementation of the UNCAC' - December 09-10, 2009 - Sofia, Bulgaria
The UNODC Regional Program Office for South-Eastern Europe (RPOSEE), based in Sofia, and the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat co-organized a Regional Conference on 'Strengthening Regional Cooperation in South-Eastern Europe in the Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption' on December 09-10, 2009, in Sofia, Bulgaria. The event had been endorsed by the Bulgarian government and was organized under the patronage of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. Tsvetan Tsvetanov.
Workshop on Strengthening Regional Cooperation in Asset Recovery by Creating a Regional Network of Practitioners - December 02-04, 2009 - Sofia, Bulgaria
The "Workshop on Strengthening Regional Cooperation in Asset Recovery by Creating a Regional Network of Practitioners and Building a Platform for Exchange of Information, Experience and Good Practices" was held on December 02-04, 2009 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The event was co-organized by the joint Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Bank, UNODC Regional Programme Office for South-Eastern Europe (RPOSEE) and the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat.
Regional Conference on 'Sharing Experience in Fighting Corruption', November 24-25, 2009 - Prishtina, Kosovo
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency co-organized a Regional Conference on 'Sharing Experience in Fighting Corruption' on November 24-25, 2009, in Prishtina, Kosovo. The event focused mainly on Declaration of Assets and Conflict of Interest issues. It brought together practitioners from Albania, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Turkey, as well as representatives of the international community engaged with the fight against corruption.
9th EPAC Conference ''Fighting Corruption with Integrity'' - November 04–07, 2009 - Nova Gorica, Slovenia
9th European Partners against Corruption (EPAC) Conference ''Fighting Corruption with Integrity'' took place in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, on November 4 – 7, 2009. The event was hosted by the Slovenian Commission for Prevention of Corruption. It provided a ground for EPAC members to set up a more formalized European Anti-corruption Contact Network (EACN).
13th RAI Steering Group Meeting - October 29-30, 2009 - Sofia, Bulgaria
The 13th RAI Steering Group (SG) Meeting took place in Sofia, Bulgaria, on October 29 – 30, 2009. The event was hosted by the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior. It focused the discussions on the adoption of new Work Plan for 2010 – 2011, which would set up the priority areas for support and development in the member states of the Initiative for the next two years.
Regional Seminar on 'Detection and Repression of Illicit Enrichment' - October 19-20, 2009 - Sofia, Bulgaria
Regional Seminar on 'Detection and Repression of Illicit Enrichment' took place in Sofia, Bulgaria, on October 19-20, 2009, in the premises of National Institute of Justice. The event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France under the patronage of the French Ambassador in Bulgaria – Mr. Etienne de Poncins. Based on multidisciplinary approach, the workshop focused on comparative analysis in the area of illicit enrichment in France, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania and Serbia.
Preliminary meeting of RAI Steering Group - September 24-25, 2009 - Cavtat, Croatia
National representatives from 5 member states took part in Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Steering Group Preliminary Meeting on September 24-25, 2009, in Cavtat, Croatia. The meeting was envisaged as preparatory forum, where the ideas for the future functioning of the Initiative should be raised in order to be transformed into decisions a month later at the 13th Steering Group Meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria.
4th Summer School for Junior Magistrates from SEE, June 01-06, 2009 - Ohrid, Macedonia
RAI Secretariat, in cooperation with the hosting Academy for Training of Judges and Public Prosecutors of Republic of Macedonia, co-organized the annual Summer School for Junior Magistrates from South - Eastern Europe on June 01 - 06, 2009, in Ohrid, Macedonia. The event was organized for 4th consecutive year and was dedicated to the "International Standards and Cooperation in the Fight against Corruption".
International Conference on 'Building Integrity and Reducing Corruption in Security Sector', May 18–20, 2009 - Rakitje, Croatia
Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat and RACVIAC - Center for Security Cooperation coorganized International Conference on 'Building Integrity and Reducing Corruption in Security Sector' on May 19-20, 2009, in Rakitje, Croatia. The event focused on suppression of corruption in the public institutions with a particular attention to security sector.
Presentation of RAI program and activities in front of EU institutions, April 29–30, 2009 - Brussels, Belgium
The representatives of RAI: Ms. Vesna Ratkovic - Chairperson of RAI, Mr. Edmond Dunga - Head of RAI Secretariat, Mr. Stanislav Aleksandrov - Anti-corruption Expert and Mr. Sorin Sterie - Senior Political Advisor in RCC's Liaison Office in Brussels made official presentation of the Initiative in front of the relevant EU institutions on April 29 - 30, 2009.
Standard Training Course on 'Combating corruption', March 30 - April 3, 2009 - Stubicke Toplice, Croatia
The first regional seminar of the ninth Standard Training Course on 'Combating corruption' took place in Stubicke Toplice, Croatia, from 30th March to 3rd April 2009. This event was organised by the Organised Crime Training Network for operational managers in South Eastern Europe (OCTN). It brought together senior police officers in the area of organised crime - combating corruption from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo - UNMIK, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and Serbia.
Regional Conference on ''Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in South Eastern Europe'' - March 30-31, 2009 - Belgrade, Serbia
The Regional High Level Conference on ''Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in South Eastern Europe'' was organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and hosted by the Government of the Republic of Serbia in Belgrade, on March 30 - 31, 2009. The event focused on elaborating a common strategic platform for efective regional responses in several areas: serious crime and illicit trafficking; integrity and criminal justice systems; drug prevention and treatment; HIV treatment and care.
Signing of MoU between RAI Secretariat and the Commercial Criminal Law Institute of the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration
The Regional Anti-corruption Initiative's Secretariat and the Commercial Criminal Law Institute of the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration signed Memorandum of Understanding for joint action and cooperation in the fight against corruption. The document was signed on March 27, 2009, in Vienna.
Signed MoU for the organization of the 4th Summer School for Junior Magistrates from SEE
The Academy for Training of Judges and Public Prosecutors of Republic of Macedonia and the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat signed Memorandum of Understanding for the organization of the 4th edition of the Summer School for Junior Magistrates form South - Eastern Europe (SEE) on February 4, 2009, in Skopje, Macedonia. The event will take place in the first week of June 2009, in Ohrid.
Events on Marking the International Anti-Corruption Day
Since December 9, 2003, the date of signing of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), that day has been declared as International Anti-corruption Day. The Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat joined the efforts of the major stakeholders in the area to use the occasion to raise the public awareness on the negative impact of corruption both on the society and on the democratic state institutions.
South – East European Regional Workshop on 'Challenges of Preventing and Prosecuting VAT Fraud in the Enlarging EU Market'
The Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat and the European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF) supported the organization of an anti-fraud regional workshop hosted by the Governance Monitoring Association and the Bulgarian National Revenue Agency on November 27-28, 2008, in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Using Communication Approaches and Techniques to Support Anti-Corruption Efforts: A Learning Event for Anti-Corruption Agencies
The World Bank's Communication for Governance and Accountability Program (CommGAP) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) coorganized a learning event for anti-corruption agencies on "Using Communication Approaches and Techniques to Support Anti-corruption Efforts" on November 17 - 19, 2008, in Vienna, Austria.
South-East European Regional Conference 'Suppression of Corruption in Public Procurement Systems', November 12–13, 2008 - Cavtat, Croatia
The Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat organized South-East European (SEE) Regional Conference on 'Suppression of Corruption in Public Procurement Systems' on November 12 - 13, 2008, in Cavtat, Croatia. The event was financially supported by USAID through ABA - ROLI. It was attended by more than 30 participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and UNMIK/Kosovo, as well as by experts representing OLAF, OECD and SIGMA.
12th Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative Steering Group Meeting, October 30-31, 2008 - Chisinau, Moldova
The 12th Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Steering Group (SG) Meeting took place in Chisinau, Moldova, on October 30 - 31, 2008. It was organized by RAI Secretariat in cooperation with the hosting Center for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova. The SG Meeting is the main forum that provides ground for the decision - making body of the Initiative to discuss and to take the relevant decisions in response to the challenges that face the countries in South Eastern Europe (SEE) in their efforts to fight corruption.
International Anti-Corruption Academy Established in Austria
An agreement was signed today between the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to establish the International Anti-Corruption Academy. The Academy, to be located in Laxenburg, just outside Vienna, will open its doors in autumn 2009.
RAI Steering Group Preliminary Meeting, September 11-12, 2008 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
National representatives from 8 member states took part in Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Steering Group Preliminary Meeting on September 11 - 12, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This event was attended also by the Justice and Home Affairs senior expert of the recently established Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat. The meeting was envisaged as preparatory forum, where the ideas for the future functioning of the Initiative should be raised in order to be transformed into decisions two months later in the 12th Steering Group Meeting.
Summer School for Junior Magistrates from South Eastern Europe, June 9 - 15, Kotor, Montenegro
RAI Secretariat, in cooperation with the hosting Montenegrin Directorate for Anti-corruption Initiative, coorganized the annual Summer School for Junior Magistrates on June 9 - 15, in Kotor, Montenegro. The event was organized for a third consecutive time and was dedicated to the "International Standards and Cooperation in the Fight against Corruption".