2008 Corruption Perceptions Index 2008

Regional Highlights: South Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Countries Ranked: 7 in South Eastern Europe and 13 Post-Soviet Countries
Transparency International’s 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) clearly demonstrates that corruption remains a serious challenge in South Eastern Europe and post-soviet states. All 20 countries register scores below 5 (out of a possible 10) indicating that most face serious perceived levels of domestic corruption.
Despite extensive reforms and external incentives in the framework of the European Union preaccession process, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are not perceived as having significantly improved their anti-corruption stance. Apart from Turkey and Albania, the impact of the fight against corruption has been little despite actions undertaken to tackle the problem and promises by heads of state to make anti-corruption a core element of reforms in the run-up to EU membership.
The only two countries in South Eastern Europe currently witnessing a significant reduction in their perceived levels of corruption and showing signs of initial change are Albania, a potential EU candidate country, and Turkey, an EU candidate country. However, the EU accession process cannot yet be deemed a sustainable remedy.
Although Turkey declared anti-corruption a priority prior to 2006, no notable changes in legislation for greater transparency nor satisfying reforms furthering the fight against corruption can be noted in the past two years. In spite of this and the turmoil surrounding the last presidential and parliamentary elections, the country’s economy has been developing very well, classifying Turkey as one of the BRICK-MUT countries with a heavy influx of foreign investors.
This generally positive economic context and a focus on political developments in the public discourse may have influenced a side-tracking of corruption issues and an increased CPI score from 4.1 in 2007 to 4.6 in 2008.
In Albania on the other hand, where the CPI score rose from 2.9 in 2007 to 3.4 in 2008, the current government has been vocal about anti-corruption reforms it has championed over the past years and which appear to be showing initial results. An official task force created to fight corruption and economic crime has increased the number of officials prosecuted and sentenced for corruption, also building confidence among the public that corruption can be punished in Albania. In 2007, 224 officials were identified as involved in corruption and power abuse, 53 of them were arrested and prosecuted. A systemic approach was also taken in reducing corruption in tax administration, procurement and services to business, leading to a modernization of such services. The implementation of electronic systems for taxes, procurement and business licenses reduced opportunities for extortion.