Corruption is acting as a barrier to potential investors, according to OSCE Deputy Ambassador Renate Hermanns
TIRANA, Feb. 2 – Corruption in Albania is inhibiting the country’s economic development and acting as a barrier to potential investors, OSCE Deputy Ambassador Renate Hermanns said this week.
She was speaking at a graduation ceremony for officials trained to fight against conflict of interest in an event organized by the High Inspectorate of Declaration of Assets.
Ms. Hermanns also said corruption presents a negative image for the country abroad and removes funds from important social assistance programs and poverty reduction.
One of the Albanian government’s main goals has been fighting corruption, but it still remains a serious problem in Albania, according to the OSCE representative.
“Some recent international reports, like the 2009 Index on Corruption by Transparency International indicate that corruption remains a major problem in Albania,” she said. “We have to create a compelling record of verdicts and harsh punishments of fines in cases of corruption.”
About 600 senior officials at central institutions were trained with the assistance of OSCE on how to avoid cases involving conflict of interest, or benefiting from holding public power.
Interior Minister Lulzim Basha attended the meeting, where the trainees came from the Ministries of Interior, Finance, Economy and Agriculture.
“Preventing conflicts of interest in the public administration remains one of the most important tasks in the fight against corruption. And we have had an increase in successful prosecutions,” Mr. Basha said.
