Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative

Regional Workshop on the Review Mechanism for the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) – December 08-09,2010 – Belgrade, Serbia
2010-12-08 08:00 - 2010-12-09 17:00 UTC
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.
After the workshop the participants took part in the conference organized by the Serbian Anti-corruption Agency on the occasion of 9th of December – the International Anti-corruption Day. It was also attended by the President of Republic of Serbia Boris Tadic, who underlined the necessity of involving not only the law enforcement and prevention authorities in the fight against corruption, but making it a priority for the whole society.
Please, have a look at the attached agenda of the workshop for more details.

International Conference ‘Corruption Prevention in the Midst of Crisis?’ – November 22-23, 2010 – Cologne, Germany
2010-11-22 08:00 - 2010-11-23 17:00
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.
It incorporated workshops in various topics such as: Whistleblowing; Think globally, act locally: Corruption prevention in German municipalities; Human resources development in corruption prevention efforts; Ethics offices for public administrations. On behalf of RAI Secretariat the conference was attended by Mr. Edmond Dunga and Mr. Stanislav Aleksandrov, who took part in the workshop focused on European policies in the area of whistleblowing.
For more details, please have a look at the agenda of the event.

5th Summer School for Junior Magistrates from SEE, May 31 – June 06, 2010 – Durres, Albania
2010-05-31 08:00 - 2010-06-06 17:00
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”.
It consisted of five main training modules:

International standards in anti-corruption – the implementation of relevant conventions of United Nations and Council of Europe;
Reform of the judiciary and anti-corruption, as challenges of the EU accession process;
Asset recovery: proceeds of crime;
Anti-corruption policies and preventive measures;
EU experience regarding the international judicial cooperation in criminal matters, stressing on the activity of structures like OLAF and EUROJUST.

The Summer School for Junior Magistrates was opened by Mr. Genc Pollo – Minister of Innovation, Information and Communication Technology. The junior magistrates spent one week in academic environment along the Adriatic coast of Durres gaining from the knowledge and experience of honorable lecturers coming from public institutions, international organizations and civil society. The young prosecutors and judges were given the opportunity to exchange ideas and experience on the anti-corruption field, to comment the weak and the strong points of their daily work, thus building bridges between the people in South – Eastern Europe.
The framework of the Summer School included presentations by experts from UNODC, Council of Europe (GRECO), Vienna University of Economics and Business, EULEX mission in Kosovo, EUROJUST, EUROPOL, Tirana’s Prosecution Office and District Court in Durres. During the special outdoor session, the junior magistrates visited the District Court in Durres and held a meeting with its president.
The event was closed with a certificate ceremony lead by Prof. Dr. Mariana Semini-Tutulani – Director of the School of Magistrates of Albania and Mr. Edmond Dunga – Head of RAI Secretariat, following the final evaluation of the attendants in the form of case study.
Additional information:
Agenda
List of participants
Presentations:
Framework for Regional Cooperation and Sharing Best Practices in Fighting Corruption in SEE – Mr. Stanislav Aleksandrov (RAI Secretariat)
Presentation of Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative and the possibility for cooperation within the framework of the national judicial systems in SEE – Mr. Erik N. Larson (UNDOC)
Anti-Corruption Standards of the Council of Europe – Ms. Tania van Dijk (GRECO)
The European Union’s Stockholm Program and the South-East European Justice and Home Affairs Strategy / The Role of Magistrates – Mr. Sorin Sterie (Regional Cooperation Council)
Presentation on activities related to asset recovery and corruption + practical cases – Mr. Dritan Rreshka (Joint Investigative Unit, Tirana)
Functioning of the judicial system in Albania with focus on recent changes regarding the EU accession process – Mr. Markelian Koca (District Court of Durres)
Austria’s Anti-corruption Laws and the International Standards in the Fight Against Corruption – Mag. Florian Singer (Institute for Austrian and European Economic Criminal Law, Vienna University of Economics and Business)
Overview of Law Enforcement Framework in the Area of Anti-Corruption and International Cooperation – Dr. Severin Glaser (Institute for Austrian and European Economic Criminal Law, Vienna University of Economics and Business)
Preventive Measures / Best Practices from Public and Private Sector – Mag. Markus Hoecher (Institute for Austrian and European Economic Criminal Law, Vienna University of Economics and Business)
The Camden Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network (CARIN) – Ms. Jill Thomas (Europol)
The Role and Tasks of Eurojust in the Fight against Organized Crime – Ms. Mariana Lilova (Eurojust)
Two different approaches to Joint Investigation Teams / Experience and lessons learned – Ms. Mariana Lilova (Eurojust)
EU experience regarding the international judicial cooperation in criminal matters – Mr. Alberto Perduca (Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Torino)

South-Eastern European Anti-Corruption Conference marking 10th Anniversary of the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative – May 20–21, 2010 – Bucharest, Romania
2010-05-20 08:00 - 2010-05-21 17:00
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.
The event was opened by Mr. Catalin Predoiu – Minister of Justice of Romania and Mr. Alexandru Tanase – Minister of Justice of Republic of Moldova. The anniversary of RAI was addressed by Prof. Ugo Draetta – former RAI Chairman and Mrs. Jennifer Gauck – former project manager in American Bar Association – Rule of Law Initiative, who had both played significant role for the succes of RAI idea and cause.
The marking of 10th anniversary of RAI was organized back-to-back with the presentation of the final results of the project survey on ”Integrity and Resistance to Corruption of the Criminal Judicial System in SEE” financed by US Department of State and implemented by RAI Secretariat, RCC and TI – Romania. The draft version of the survey report was disseminated among the target groups. The final version of the survey report will be finalized and published soon.
Ms. Vesna Ratkovic – RAI Chairperson and the staff of RAI Secretariat – Mr. Edmond Dunga (Head of Office), Mr. Stanislav Aleksandrov (Anti-Corruption Expert), Ms. Dajana Stajic (Finance and Administrative Assistant) and Mr. Veselin Jovanovic (Fundraising and Outreach Assistant) express their gratitute to all past, current and future RAI partners and supporters for their dedication and efforts made on the anti-corruption field.
Please, have a look at the attached program of the event, RAI Chairperson’s opening remarks and Survey Report “Integrity and Resistance to Corruption of the Law Enforcement Bodies in South East European Countries“.

Signing Memorandum of Understanding concerning cooperation in fighting corruption through Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative by Republic of Serbia – May 17, 2010 – Zagreb, Croatia
2010-05-17 08:00 - 17:00
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.
Mr. Stanislav Aleksandrov – Anti-Corruption Expert in the Sarajevo based office of the Initiative, addressed the event on behalf of RAI Secretariat. He focused on the importance of MoU for the functioning of the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative, providing financial sustainability of the Secretariat on one hand, as well as taking over the local ownership on the anti-corruption field in SEE on the other hand. Mr. Aleksandrov also highlighted the major role, which Serbia has to play for the future stability in the region. Minister Malovic stressed on the recent changes in Serbia regarding the fight against corruption, underlining the adoption of an Asset Recovery law and the establishment of new Anti-corruption Agency.
Photo Gallery

First Regional Workshop on ‘Improvement of Justice and Home Affairs Statistics in the Western Balkans’ – May 12–14, 2010 – Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
2010-05-12 08:00 - 2010-05-14 17:00
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.
It was opened by His Excellency Mr. Mihailo Manevski – Minister of Justice of Macedonia. The workshop was attended by experts from relevant JHA institutions of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo under UNSCR 1244, covering police, prosecution, courts, border authorities and national statistical offices, as well as UNODC staff and local focal points, project partners and associates, representatives of international organizations. The final technical assessment reports were presented to the participents, who, in the course of the discussions, adopted the following conclusions and recommendations:

Participants agreed on the importance of strengthening the capacities of Justice and Home Affairs institutions, including police, prosecution, courts, and institutions involved in asylum, visa and migration issues, to record, compile, report and disseminate statistics that are timely, accurate, reliable and in accordance with international standards and EU acquis and current practices.
Participants recommended continued work on the further development of crime and criminal justice statistics systems, as well as those for migration, asylum and visa issues, based on the UNODC Technical Assessment Reports and the recommendations contained in the Programme Guidelines, as revised during the workshop for each country or territory.
Participants recognized the importance of applying general statistical principles in the production and dissemination of crime and criminal justice data, such as transparency, accuracy and consistency.
The workshop further discussed and agreed on a set of JHA regional indicators in line with indicators commonly used at EU and international levels.
Participants have agreed on the individual, national priority needs of training on the development of administrative systems of collection, aggregation, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of data in accordance with EU and other international standards. The training should start in September 2010.

Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat was represented by Mr. Stanislav Aleksandrov – Anti-Corruption Expert. RAI Secretariat facilitates the project ”Development of Monitoring Instruments for Judicial and Law Enforcement Institutions in the Western Balkans” as associate partner to UNODC.
For more information, please, have a look at the attached report and conclusions of the event.

International Conference ‘International Collaboration in Conflict of Interest Prevention and Declaration of Assets – a Tool Against Corruption’ – May 03-04, 2010 – Tirana, Albania
2010-05-03 08:00 - 2010-05-04 17:00
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.
It brought together representatives of respective conflict of interest and asset declaration bodies from South-Eastern European countries – member states and observers in RAI, other European counterpart institutions, as well as relevant international stakeholders and organizations such as US Embassy in Tirana, Council of Europe and UNODC.
The main outcome of the event was the establishment of an independent and informal European network of integrity institutions responsible for conflict of interest prevention and assets declaration named “Integrity Experts Network” (IEN). The Network is envisaged to serve as a platform for policy making, exchange of information, experience and best practices between the practitioners in the area on focus. In that regard, the represented institutions adopted Declaration of the Network foundation and Statute about its functioning. It was agreed that the IEN Secretariat functions would be managed by RAI Secretariat in close cooperation with the institution having the Chairmanship-in-Office of the Network.
HIDAA was awarded to take the first Chairmanship-in-Office of the newly set up Network in the period May 2010 – May 2011, while the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption of Republic of Macedonia will take the second one in the period May 2011 – May 2012.
Finally, the integrity experts identified as first follow-up steps to the Conference the designation of national focal points, the setting up of the Steering Board of the Network and the elaboration of a working agenda for attracting the interest of the donor community.
Agenda
List of participants
Integrity Experts Network Statute
Tirana Declaration

Regional Conference on ‘Strengthening Regional Cooperation in South-Eastern Europe in the Implementation of the UNCAC’ – December 09-10, 2009 – Sofia, Bulgaria
2009-12-09 08:00 - 2009-12-10 17:00
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.
The opening of the Regional Conference was on the 9th of December with the special purpose to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day. This day had been introduced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2003 with the aim to raise the public awareness to the problem of corruption as a complex social, political and economic phenomenon affecting all countries undermining democratic institutions, retarding economic development and contributing to government instability. In these lines, the Conference’s main goal was to exchange good practices on anti-corruption legislative, strategic and institutional structures and to give the floor to participants to discuss the way for their improvement.
The outcome of the conference was to outline interventions needed at regional level, and more specifically – to identify the way to address regional needs through specific and concrete technical assistance activities.
Please, have a look at the attached agenda and list of participants of the event, as well as the presentations delivered at the Conference.
The Work of the Secretariat / Results of the Third Session of the Conference of States Parties to the UNCAC – Mr. Erik Larson
Anti-Corruption Bodies – UNCAC Normative Framework and Interaction with the COSP – Mr. Hatem Aly
Fighting Corruption and the Need for Regional & International Cooperation in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Mr. Drew G. Engel
The Preventive Model of Anti-Corruption Agency – Experience of Montenegro – Mr. Dalibor Saban and Ms. Mirela Bakalbasic
BORKOR – National Project for the Prevention and Combating of Corruption in Bulgaria – Mr. Rolf Schlotterer
Assessment of the Legal Frameworks on Criminalization of Corruption Offenses of SEE Countries – Ms. Londa Esadze
Evidence-based Approaches to Assessing Corruption and UNODC Project in Western Balkans – Mr. Enrico Bisogno
Regional and State Level Cooperation Between UNDP and UNODC in South Eastern Europe Anti-Corruption Efforts – Mr. Francesco Checchi
Good Anti-Corruption Practices – Current and Future Challenges in South Eastern Europe Countries – Mr. Edmond Dunga
The Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative – Framework for Regional Cooperation and Sharing Best Practices in Fighting Corruption in SEE – Mr. Stanislav Aleksandrov
International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) – Mr. Erik Larson

Workshop on Strengthening Regional Cooperation in Asset Recovery by Creating a Regional Network of Practitioners – December 02-04, 2009 – Sofia, Bulgaria
2009-12-02 08:00 - 2009-12-04 17:00
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.
It was also supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The Regional Conference was hosted by the Government of Bulgaria.
The Conference served as a forum for participants to exchange experience and address ways and means to coordinate policies and enhance cooperation, create or improve open channels for communication and prioritize technical assistance in the region. It included discussions on lessons learned, possible measures to make legislation on asset recovery more efficient, experience in the region with regard to mutual legal assistance requests and policy priorities for the lowering of barriers to asset recovery.
Among the main findings following the workshop was the lack of trust between the asset recovery bodies in SEE and the need for special trainings for the practitioners, who worked in those institutions.
Responding to the specific requirements of SEE countries UNODC and RAI Secretariat launched the idea to create a regional platform for building trust and trainings in the area of asset recovery, which is supposed to be established in 2010.
RAI Secretariat was represented at the Conference by Mr. Edmond Dunga and Mr. Stanislav Aleksandrov, who took leading role in the panel dedicated to the process of networking in the area of asset recovery in SEE.
Please, have a look at the attached agenda and list of participants of the event, as well as the presentations delivered at the Workshop.
Stolen Asset Recovery – Mr. Stuart C. Gilman
A Practical Guide to Using Financial Disclosure – Mr. Stuart C. Gilman
Results of the Third Session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption – Mr. Erik Larson
The Camden Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network – Mr. Evert van der Steeg
Asset Recovery in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Practical Observations – Mr. Heikki Wendorf
Presentation of Mr. Aleksandar Milojevic – Financial Investigations Unit, Service for Combating Organized Crime, Ministry of Interior, Serbia
Presentation of Mr. Aleksandar Milojevic – Example of Financial Investigation -_Financial Investigations Unit, Service for Combating Organized Crime, Ministry of Interior, Serbia
Measures on Confiscation of Crime Assets in Albania – Mr. Bledar Celiku
Seizure and Confiscation of Proceeds of Crime – Ms. Tamara Vitlarova, Macedonia
Confiscated Assets in Kosovo – Legal Framework – Mr. Yordan Sirakov
Asset Recovery – Presentation of Mr. Veselin Vuckovic, Deputy Supreme State Prosecutor of Montenegro
Presentation of Mr. Martin Kreutner – Director of Federal Bureau for Internal Affairs – Austria
Cooperation for Non-Conviction Based Confiscation between DNA and ANDI – Ms. Violeta Sechely, National Anti-Corruption Directorate – Romania
Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative – Mr. Felix Branisante, National Integrity Agency – Romania
Non-Conviction Based Forfeiture A Good Practices Guide – Mr. Theodore S. Greenberg
Politically Exposed Persons – Strengthening Preventive Measures – Mr. Theodore S. Greenberg
The Bulgarian Experience in Establishing a Specialized Asset Recovery Agency – Prof. Stoian Kushlev
Cooperation in Anti-Corruption Efforts and Characteristics of Successful Asset Recovery Network for SEE – Mr. Edmond Dunga
The Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative – Framework for Regional Cooperation and Sharing Best Practices in Fighting Corruption in SEE – Mr. Stanislav Aleksandrov

4th Summer School for Junior Magistrates from SEE, June 01-06, 2009 – Ohrid, Macedonia
2009-06-01 08:00 - 2009-06-06 17:00
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”.
It consisted of five main training modules:

International standards in anti-corruption – the implementation of relevant conventions of United Nations and Council of Europe.
Asset recovery: proceeds of crime.
Anti-corruption policies and preventive measures – available tools and best practices.
Reform of the judiciary and anti-corruption, as challenges of the EU accession process.
EU experience regarding the international judicial cooperation in criminal matters stressing on the activity of structures like OLAF and EUROJUST.

The Summer School for Junior Magistrates was opened by Mr. Ibrahim Ibrahimi – Deputy Minister of Justice of Republic of Macedonia. The junior magistrates spent one week in academic environment along the beautiful shores of the historic Ohrid Lake gaining from the knowledge and experience of honorable lecturers coming from public institutions, international organizations and civil society. The young prosecutors and judges were given the opportunity to exchange ideas and good practices on the anti-corruption field, to comment the weak and the strong points of their daily work, thus building bridges between the people in South – Eastern Europe.
The framework of the Summer School included presentations by experts from UNODC, Commission for Establishing of Property Acquired from Criminal Activity of Republic of Bulgaria, Slovenian Commission for Prevention of Corruption, Vienna University of Economics and Business, EULEX mission in Kosovo, EUROJUST, Macedonian Prosecution Office, Ministry of Justice of Republic of Macedonia and the Basic Court in Kavadarci. During the special outdoor session, the junior magistrates visited the Basic Court in Ohrid and held meetings with its president – Judge Vlado Dejanoski.
The event was closed with a certificate ceremony lead by Judge Aneta Arnaudovska – Director of the hosting Academy for Training of Judges and Public Prosecutors of Republic of Macedonia and Mr. Edmond Dunga – Head of RAI Secretariat, following the final evaluation of the attendants in the form of case study.
Additional Information:
Agenda
List of Participants
Presentations:
Summer School for Junior Magistrates from SEE – Stanislav Aleksandrov (RAI Secretariat)
Framework for Regional Cooperation and Sharing Best Practices in Fighting Corruption in SEE – Stanislav Aleksandrov (RAI Secretariat)
The United Nations Convention against Corruption – Hatem Aly (UNODC)
The Bulgarian Asset Recovery System – Desislava Gotskova (Criminal Assets Commission, Bulgaria)
Confiscation of Assets and Forfeiture of Unlawfully Acquired Property – Jovan I. Ilievski (Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office, Macedonia)
Institutional and Legal Measures for Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interests – Mirjana Dimovska (State Commission for Prevention of Corruption, Macedonia)
Reforms in the Judiciary and Anti-Corruption as Challenges in the Process of Approximation to the European Union – Professor Judge Lazar Nanev (Kavadarci Basic Court)
The Fight against Corruption in Austria – o. Univ. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Brandstetter (Institute for Austrian and European Economic Criminal Law)
CoE Civil and Criminal Law Conventions – Mag. Sandra A. Blagojevic (Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, Slovenia)
Implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption and CoE Conventions into Domestic Laws and Practice – Mag. Sandra A. Blagojevic (Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, Slovenia)
Anti-Corruption Policy Activities – Elena Hristoska (Ministry of Justice, Macedonia)
The Role and Tasks of Eurojust – Mariana Lilova (Eurojust)
The Role of Eurojust and Europol in Establishing and Supporting Joint Investigation Teams – Mariana Lilova (Eurojust)
The mechanism for detection and investigation of fraud and corruption within European Union – way of functioning + case studies – Alberto Perduca (EULEX Kosovo)
The international efforts to set up a sustainable judicial framework in UNMIK/Kosovo – Alberto Perduca (EULEX Kosovo)

International Conference on ‘Building Integrity and Reducing Corruption in Security Sector’, May 18–20, 2009 – Rakitje, Croatia
2009-05-18 08:00 - 2009-05-20 17:00
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.
It consisted of 3 main panels: “Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity in SEE” touching general issues in regard to this phenomenon, “Reducing Corruption in Security Sector and Defense” dedicated to specific aspects of those sectors and “Anti-corruption Strategies and Best Practices from SEE Countries in Fighting Corruption” devoted to the regional experience and cooperation in the fight against corruption in SEE.
Around 60 participants (speakers and audience) took part at this Conference, representing parliamentary security/defence committees, relevant ministries, anti-corruption bodies from RAI and RACVIAC member countries, as well as relevant international organizations (such as NATO, Transparency International, OLAF, UNODC, World Bank, GRECO) and also representatives of UK Defense Anti-Corruption team and the University of Nottingham.
More information: Agenda
Presentations on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity in SEE
Corruption: Understanding Risk and Building Stability in Region Dr. Josip Kregar
Transparency International – The Global Coalition Against Corruption – Mr. Miklos Marschall
Detection and Investigation of Corruption – Dr. Wolfgang Hetzer
Prevention – A Key Factor in Fighting Corruption – MSc. Sandra A. Blagojevic
Overview of United Nations Convention against Corruption – Mr. Erik Larson
Hour Glass Concept of Governance and Accountability – Mr. John Williams
Role of the Parliament in Curbing Corruption in SEE – Ms. Sanja Madzarevic-Sujster
Institutional Framework for Fighting Corruption – Mr. Mrcela Marin LLM
NATO-EAPC Initiative – Mrs. Susan Pond
European Defence Procurement Regulation – A Mechanism for Fighting Bribery – Dr. Aris Georgopoulos
Border Controls and Corruption – Mr. Tom McGonna
The Future of Corruption Benchmarking in the EU – Mr. Dimitar Markov
Presentations on Anti-Corruption Strategies and Best Practices from the South European Countries in Fighting Corruption
Asset Recovery as Part of the Anti-Corruption Mechanism – Mr. Radu Buica, Romania
GOA – Fight Corruption and Govern Transparently – Ms. Helena Papa, Albania
Presentation of SIPA – Mr. Emir Dugalija – Bosnia and Herzegovina
National Anti-Corruption Strategy – Administrative Capacity for Prevention and Fighting Corruption in MoI – Dr. Vassil Stoykov, Bulgaria
Presentation of State Commission for Prevention of Corruption – Mr. Cvetko Mojsoski, Macedonia
Anti-Corruption Experience – Best Practices and Lessons Learned – Mr. Radu Cotici, Moldova
Montenegrin Strategy and Practice in the Fight against Corruption and Organized Crime – Ms. Vesna Ratkovic, Montenegro

Regional Conference on ”Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in South Eastern Europe” – March 30-31, 2009 – Belgrade, Serbia
2009-03-30 08:00 - 2009-12-31 17:00
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.
RAI Secretariat intervened in the working group established to elaborate technical assistance modality regarding the area of integrity and criminal justice systems. In the course of the Conference the high-ranked officials from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia endorsed a Declaration on the implementation of the Programme on ”Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in South Eastern Europe”, thus manifesting the committment of these countries to take the measures in up-mentioned focus areas.
More information:
Agenda
List of participants
Joint Statement

South – East European Regional Workshop on ‘Challenges of Preventing and Prosecuting VAT Fraud in the Enlarging EU Market’
2008-11-27 08:00 - 2008-11-28 17:00
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.
The event brought together business managers and tax experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey, directly involved in the fight against VAT fraud in South – Eastern Europe.
The general purpose of the workshop was to educate and to support the revenue and law – enforcement officers from the region in risk management and prevention, investigation and prosecution of cross – border VAT fraud. The event pursued the following specific objectives: review of the effect of various prevention and risk – management instruments; exchange of the best practices and lessons learned in the area; monitoring and evaluation of the impact of anti – fraud policies with an emphasis on measuring the losses; studying the feasibility of launching an anti – fraud exchange of information network in South – Eastern Europe tailored towards data on companies already suspected or involved in VAT fraud in some countries in the region.
Mr. Stanislav Aleksandrov – Anti-corruption Expert – attended the workshop on behalf of RAI Secretariat.
Agenda, Presentations

South-East European Regional Conference ‘Suppression of Corruption in Public Procurement Systems’, November 12–13, 2008 – Cavtat, Croatia
2008-11-12 08:00 - 2008-11-13 17:00
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.
The Conference consisted of two main components. The first one was dedicated to the European standards in the area of Public Procurement (PP). The experts from OECD, SIGMA and OLAF intervened in topics related to assessment of the existing PP systems and tools to detect and investigate corruption in PP. New issues in the area such as the application of “red flags” and OECD Recommendation on enhancing integrity in PP were introduced and attracted the interest of the participants. The second component gave floor to the national representatives to present and discuss the strong and the weak points of the respective national PP systems, as well as some current issues like e-procurement, implementation of new PP laws, etc. Finally, all the participants agreed on the benefits of the Conference providing them with a more detailed view of the status of the PP systems, gaining from the experience of experts coming from OECD, SIGMA and OLAF, and enriching them with more ideas applicable in the area of PP. The national representatives also stated, they would continue with their efforts in setting up transparent and efficient PP systems in SEE towards the main goal – EU accession.
For additional information, please check the agenda, the list of participants and the presentations delivered at the Conference attached below.
Agenda
List of participants
Presentations:
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
“Detection and investigation of fraud and corruption in public procurement procedures within European institutions” – Mr. Borut Markosek
“European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)” – Mr. Borut Markosek
OECD
“Red-flags: indicators that may help prevent, detect and investigate malpractices” – Mrs. Nicola Ehlermann-Cache
“OECD Recommendation on Enhancing Integrity in Public Procurement” – Ms. Elodie Beth
SIGMA
“Suppression of corruption in Public Procurement Systems” – Mr. Peter Bennett
“Assessment of developments in public procurement in South-Eastern Europe in the light of EU requirements” – Mr. Peter Bennett
SEE Experiences:
ALBANIA – Ms. Etleva Kondi
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – Ms. Djinita Foco
BULGARIA – Ms. Polya Stefanova Petrova-Ognyanova
CROATIA – Ms. Stana Dolenac
MACEDONIA – Mr. Aleksandar Argirovski
ROMANIA – Mr. Cicerone Stan
SERBIA – Mr. Borisav Knezevic

Summer School for Junior Magistrates from South Eastern Europe, June 9 – 15, 2008, Kotor, Montenegro
2008-06-09 08:00 - 2008-12-15 17:00
RAI Secretariat, in cooperation with the hosting Montenegrin Directorate for Anti-corruption Initiative, co-organized the annual Summer School for Junior Magistrates on June 9 – 15, 2008, 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”.
It consisted of four main training modules:

International standards in anti-corruption – the implementation of relevant conventions of United Nations and Council of Europe;
Anti-corruption policies and preventive measures – available tools and best practices;
EU experience regarding the international judicial cooperation in criminal matters stressing on the activity of structures like OLAF, EUROPOL, INTERPOL and EUROJUST;
Reform of the judiciary and anti-corruption, as challenges of the EU accession process.

The Summer School for Junior Magistrates was opened by Mr. Miras Radovic – Minister of Justice of Montenegro. The junior magistrates spent one week in academic environment in the beautiful Bay of Kotor gaining from the knowledge and experience of honorable lecturers from relevant state anti-corruption bodies, international organizations and civil society. The young prosecutors and judges were given the opportunity to exchange ideas and good practices on the anti-corruption field, to comment the weak and the strong points of their daily work, thus building bridges between the people in South – Eastern Europe.
The framework of the Summer School included presentations by experts from UNODC, Council of Europe, Slovenian Anti-corruption Commission, Vienna University of Economics and Business, EULEX mission in Kosovo, Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office and Romanian Ministry of Justice. During the special outdoor session, the junior magistrates visited the Basic Court and the municipality of Kotor, holding meetings with Mr. Branko Vuckovic – president of the court and Mrs. Marija Maja ?atovi? – president of the municipality.
The event was closed with a certificate ceremony lead by Mrs. Vesna Ratkovic – RAI Chairperson and Director of the hosting Directorate for Anti-corruption Initiative and Mr. Edmond Dunga – Head of RAI Secretariat, following the final written evaluation of the attendants.
Additional information:
Agenda
List of Participants
Presentations:
Summer School for Junior Magistrates – Stanislav Aleksandrov,
Framework for Cooperation and Sharing Best Practices in Fighting Corruption in SEE – Stanislav Aleksandrov,
International Cooperation Provisions of the United Nations Convention against Corruption – Demostenes Chryssikos,
Anti-Corruption Policies and Preventive Measures – Roman Prah,
Anti-Corruption Policies and Preventive Measures – Dimitar Hadzhiyski,
The Fight against Corruption and Criminal Law in Austria – Mag. Florian Singer,
How is Romania Fighting Corruption – Lavinia Daciana Miclea

Co-operation and Exchange of Best Practices in the Fight Against Corruption – Twinning Type Activity – May 25–28, 2008 – Tirana, Albania
2008-05-25 08:00 - 2008-05-28 17:00
Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat and the Albanian High Inspectorate for Declaration and Audit of Assets (HIDAA) co-organized on May 25 – 28, 2008, in Tirana, Albania, a twinning type activity between the up-mentioned High Inspectorate and the newly established National Integrity Agency (NIA) in Romania. RAI Secretariat supported the funding for covering the traveling and accommodation costs of NIA representatives.
The Romanian delegation included Mr. Alexandru Catalin Macovei – President of the Agency, Mr. Ilie Ene – General Director and the Integrity Inspectors – Ms. Ana – Luisa Badiu, Ms. Ioana Barabas – Pricop and Mr. Silviu Soroceanu. They were warmly welcome by Mrs. Fatmira Laska – HIDAA General Inspector and the whole team of the Inspectorate.
The main goal of this activity was to provide initial support for NIA, to allow the Romanian representatives to gain from the experience and the knowledge of their Albanian colleagues and to establish the basis for future partnership between the two homologue bodies.
The beginning of the twinning was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between HIDAA and NIA, thus drawing the route for the future exchange of ideas, knowledge and best practices, as well as setting a certain frames for co-operation in the field of declaration and audit of assets and in the fight against corruption in general.
During the days of the event the scope of HIDAA activities was fully introduced to the Romanian delegation. The random selection for persons to pass a full audit was presented in the presence of local media representatives. As a part of the presentation of the HIDAA organization and functioning, NIA inspectors visited all the premises of the Inspectorate. Lecturers from HIDAA staff delivered presentations on the main topics related to their daily work including:

Status, powers, legal and organizational framework of HIDAA;
Declaration of assets and private interests – types and forms of declarations, categories of declarants;
Case studies on prevention of conflict of interest and incompatibilities;
Auditing process – procedures and types of audit;
Administrative and criminal procedures;
Sanctions – administrative, criminal and disciplinary ones;
Cooperation and exchange of information with other bodies;
Training capacities, assistance and support to the public institutions and officials.

It is envisaged this twinning type activity to have a second leg in Bucharest, when the Albanian side will make a return visit to NIA.
On behalf of RAI Secretariat the event was attended by Mr. Edmond Dunga – Head of the Office and Mr. Stanislav Aleksandrov – Anti-corruption Expert.
More information: Agenda
Presentations:
– Administrative and Criminal Procedures
– Administrative Inspection, Case Studies
– Auditing Process
– Cases of Preventing Conflicts of Interest and Incompatibility
– Declaration of Private Interests
– Institutional Capacities of HIDAA
– Inter-Institutional and Public Collaboration
– Organization, Powers of HIDAA
– Relations, Assistance and Support to Responsible Authorities
– Sanctions
– Training Capacities, Assistance and Support for the Public Institutions and Public Officials

Friends of the Chair Meeting, Brussels, Belgium, February 23, 2007.
2008-02-23 08:00 - 17:00
Under the coordination of the SPAI Chairman and with the support of the WT III coordinator expert, SPAI RSLO is organizing in Brussels, on January 23rd, 2007, the Friends of the SPAI Chair meeting. The meeting will bring together potential donors for SPAI programmatic activities and will focus mainly on reviewing the package of project proposals developed by SPAI RSLO based on the objectives set within the Work plan for 2006 – 2007.
More information:
Agenda,
List of participants,
SPAI RSLO Project proposal 1 SPAI Secretariat,
SPAI RSLO Project proposal 2 – Internship program,
SPAI RSLO Project proposal 3 – Summer school,
SPAI RSLO Project proposal 4 – High level corruption conferences,
SPAI RSLO Project proposal 5 – Awareness campaign

Summer School for Junior Magistrates – Sovata, Romania, July 7-13, 2007
2007-07-07 08:00 - 2007-07-13 17:00
This year’s Summer School for Junior Magistrates in Sovata, Romania, co-organized with the Romanian Ministry of Justice with the support of SPOC Secretariat, SEEPAG, and USAID, was envisaged to promote knowledge and regional cooperation in the field of anti-corruption, as well as experience sharing among magistrates from SPAI member countries. Summer School for Junior Magistrates was characterized as being a great success given the fact that in addition to the lectures held by seasoned trainers from various anti-corruption institutions, judges and prosecutors from SPAI countries were given the opportunity to share their experience and identify problem areas that they encounter in their everyday work environment.
The training for the magistrates was designed to provide information and raise issues regarding international standards in anticorruption, especially the implementation of the relevant UN, CoE and OECD conventions; anti-corruption policies and preventive measures; EU experience regarding the international judicial cooperation on criminal matters (EUROJUST, European Judicial Network, EUROPOL, OLAF); and reform of the judiciary and anticorruption challenges of the EU accession process.
All of the participants successfully passed the final written examination. The graduation ceremony was honored by the presence of Romanian Minister of Justice, Tudor Chiuariu, who personally handed in the certificates to the participants and continued the graduation ceremony with the official dinner.
Additional information:
Agenda
General presentation of the event

Countering Corruption in SEE Conference, Bucharest, Romania, May 3-4, 2007.
2007-05-03 08:00 - 2007-05-04 17:00
Another opportunity for assessing status of national anticorruption strategies adopted by the SEE countries was offered by the SEE Counter Corruption Regional Conference, identifying the best practices and lessons learned in following key areas: role of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, impact of corruption prevention measures, raising awareness, promoting transparency, and building the partnership with the civil society. The event was organized in full cooperation with the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies.
More information:
Draft Agenda,
Conference Overview,
List of participants
Countries presentations:
Macedonia,
Moldova,
Montenegro,
Romania,
Presentations of the group sessions:
Working Group 1 Briefing,
Working Group 2 Out-brief Template

Memorandum of Understanding – Signatory Ceremony, Zagreb, Croatia, April 13, 2007.
2007-04-13 08:00 - 17:00
More regional involvement of SPAI countries in the fight against corruption was demonstrated by their agreement to sign the Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Cooperation in Fighting Corruption Through the South Eastern European Anti-Corruption Initiative at SEECP meeting on April 13, 2007 in Zagreb, the Republic of Croatia, according to which the countries commit to provide financial sustainability of the Stability Pact Anti-corruption Initiative Regional Secretariat Liaison Office.
More information:
Memorandum of Understanding – signed,
Report

OSCE-SPAI RSLO Regional Conference in Preventing Corruption, Tirana, Albania, April 3-4, 2007
2007-04-03 08:00 - 2007-04-04 17:00
The focus of this event consisted of discussing the current status of implementation of the preventive measures of the United Nations Conventions against Corruption (UNCAC), and served as an excellent opportunity for the representatives of SPAI countries to discuss the lessons learned and best practices in the area of preventing corruption.
For more information please see
Presentations:
Albania,
Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Bulgaria,
Moldova,
Moldova national report on UNCAC,
Romania,
Romania national anti-corruption strategy,
Agenda,
Conference report & list of participants

UN Convention against Corruption Conference (UNCAC) on the International Anti-corruption Day Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 09 December, 2006
2006-12-09 08:00 - 17:00
More information:
TI RSLO Anticorruption Day Conference,
UNCAC Conference – draft agenda 06,
UNCAC Conference – rationale

Specialization training for prosecutors and investigators from Lithuania, Moldova and Romania, Chisinau, Moldova, 07-11, November, 2006
2006-11-07 08:00 - 2006-11-11 17:00
More information: Report on Twinning activity in Moldova

Curbing Political Corruption – Anticorruption as revolution, Sinaia, Romania, 12 – 15 October, 2006
2006-10-12 08:00 - 2006-10-15 17:00
More information:
AGENDA Sinaia NGO Conference on political corruption,
LoP Sinaia NGO Conference on political corruption,
Conclusions Sinaia NGO Conference on political corruption

Summer school for junior magistrates, Sovata, Romania, 2–9 July, 2006.
2006-07-02 08:00 - 2006-07-09 17:00
More information:
General presentation Summer School ,
List of Participants,
Agenda Summer School,
Summary Summer School

Investigations and Prosecution of Electoral Matters Training in Detection and Enforcement Series Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 19 – 20 June, 2006.
2006-06-19 08:00 - 2006-06-20 17:00
More information:
Agenda Sarajevo;
LoP Sarajevo

1st International Conference on Supreme Audit Institutions in Middle and SEE, Podgorica, Montenegro, 29 – 31March, 2006
2006-03-29 08:00 - 2006-03-31 17:00
More information:
Final Agenda,
LoP Podgorica 2006,
Draft Conclusions

Conference on Incorporation of UNCAC into Montenegrin Legislation, Podgorica, Montenegro, 15-16 February, 2006.
2006-02-15 08:00 - 2006-02-16 17:00
More information:
List of participants SPAI National event,
Agenda SPAI National event
Conclusions SPAI NAtional event

SPAI-RSLO and TI Anti-corruption Conference on UN Convention against Corruption, Sarajevo, 9 December, 2005
2005-12-09 08:00 - 2005-12-28 17:00
More information:
List of Participants,
UNCAC draft agenda,
UNCAC Conference – Rationale,
UNCAC Conference Report

UN Pre-ratification Conference, Sofia, 7-9 November, 2005
2005-11-07 08:00 - 17:00
More information: Bulgaria Agenda, Conference participants
