Anti-corruption activities in South Eastern Europe

Stability Pact Anti-Corruption Initiative (SPAI) for South Eastern Europe

The Stability Pact Anti-Corruption Initiative (SPAI), adopted in Sarajevo in February 2000, aims at encouraging countries of South Eastern Europe to take effective anti-corruption measures in accordance with relevant international instruments, including those of the OECD. Members of the SPAI include: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro represented by a delegation from Serbia and a delegation from Montenegro, FYR of Macedonia, Moldova and Romania. Bulgaria participates as an observer. The Council of Europe and the OECD have jointly hosted the Initiative's Secretariat, which is foreseen to re-locate to the region in the course of 2003. Work with SPAI countries takes place in the framework of the OECD South Eastern Europe Programme under CCNM.

The SPAI takes a multidisciplinary approach to fighting corruption, addressing issues such as the adoption and implementation of international legal standards, the promotion of good governance principles, the strengthening of the rule of law, the enhancement of transparency and integrity in business operations and the development of an active civil society. In this context, activities of the SPAI focus on the promotion and facilitation of the following principles: (i) that 'ownership' of policy reform rests with the countries of the region as governments of SPAI countries have primary responsibility for addressing corruption-related problems; (ii) focus on implementation of policies and programs; (iii) cross regional sharing of experience; and (iv) central involvement of civil society within the region.

1. Country ownership of policy reform

The SPAI promotes country ownership of policy reform. The identification of areas requiring such reform has been completed through an assessment of needs by the SPAI Secretariat for each of the eight SPAI countries. The assessment reports contain recommendations for reform. The SPAI countries have been asked to identify up to three priorities from the reform recommendations for particular focus within the next 12-18 months.

The progress achieved by the original six SPAI countries was reviewed at the Steering Group Meeting in Washington D.C. (29 April - 2 May 2002), one year after the adoption in Tirana of the recommendations for reform. The review was based on self-assessment reports and demonstrated a high level of commitment in SPAI countries to implement the Initiative. A summary of such progress can be found on the SPAI web site.

2. Effective implementation of policies and programs

In order to maximize efforts, it is envisaged that the implementation of the priority reform areas identified by SPAI countries will be supported by technical assistance projects. The SPAI countries have already identified a number of such projects, which have been circulated to the donor community. In addition, representatives of the donor community present at the Washington Steering Group Meeting were invited to consider providing support to the projects.

3. Cross-regional sharing of experience

The SPAI Steering Group Meeting in Washington brought together all SPAI countries from the region. With a view to foster cross-regional co-operation and sharing of experience on specific issues, thematic discussions were organized around two issues: corporate criminal and non-criminal liability, and financial investigations and confiscation of proceeds from crime. It is envisaged that such events will continue to be organized on a regular basis.

4. Involvement of civil society

The strengthening of civil society is one of the five pillars of action of the SPAI process and each SPAI country has undergone an assessment of its civil society sector. To support the activities already undertaken within the framework of SPAI under its civil society pillar, a small grant program for civil society organizations (CSOs) of the region was successfully finished just recently by the OECD with the financial support of the U.S. State Department.

The program was part of the Cavtat process, which had been launched in September 2001 at the SPAI Conference on Civil Society. During the conference, governments of the region and civil society representatives were invited to develop concrete and "actionable" action plans for the duration of 12 to 18 months with a view to strengthening collaborative partnerships between SPAI governments and civil society, and to making civil society action in the fight against corruption more effective. CSOs present in Cavtat, including NGOs, media and business associations and chambers of commerce, were invited to develop joint project proposals, in co-operation with other local organizations, that directly contribute to the implementation of the Cavtat action plans and the recommendations included in the general assessment reports under Pillar 5 adopted at the Conference.

For further information on SPAI activities, please consult the SPAI homepage at: http://www1.oecd.org/daf/SPAIcom.