Transparency International: Kosovo deteriorating in fight against corruption

The index lists 180 world countries and territories based on perceived levels of corruption in the public sector. He uses a zero-point scale to 100, where zero tells of a very corrupt country, while 100 a very clean place.

Kosovo, in this year's index, ranks 101st with 36 points. This result means that there has been deterioration in the fight against corruption compared to the previous year, when it was 93rd, with 37 points.

Kosovo is going through a change in parliamentary power, which may provide an opportunity for changes”, Transparency International estimates.

“After years of criticising the government and the international community for failing to educate corruption, the Vetevendosje Movement, which later won most of the parliamentary seats, has the chance to prove its commitment to the fight against corruption”, Transparency International says, to add that this party, during the election campaign, has been among the few that have responded to the requirements for detecting campaign costs.

However, Transparency International adds, it remains to be seen whether the new government will ensure a higher standard of political integrity.

“It can do so by abandoning the common practice of political appointments to state enterprises and establishing a strong legal obligation for political parties to reveal their finances”, Transparency International points out, the REL broadcast.

Of the Western Balkan region's countries, slight improvement in the fight against corruption has marked only Montenegro.

In this year's index of Transparency International, this country is ranked number 66, compared to the 67 position a year ago.

Bosnia and Herzegovina this year ranks in the same position as Kosovo, 101, while last year it was 89th.

Northern Macedonia and Albania are in the position 106, while at 93, 99, respectively.

Serbia has dropped 87 to 91st position.

Globally, the report shows that four G7 countries, or the group of the most industrialized countries, have shown the worst performance in fighting corruption, compared to last year in their midst: Canada, France, the United Kingdom and the United States. Germany and Japan have shown no improvement, while Italy alone has received one point more.

The lack of real progress in fighting corruption in most countries is disappointing and has deep negative effects on citizens worldwide”, Patricia Moreira, management director of the Transparency International organisation, said.

To get a chance to end corruption and improve people's lives, we have to deal with the relationship between politics and big money. All citizens should be represented in decision making”, Moreira said.

The best result in fighting corruption this year has shown: Denmark, New Zealand and Finland, while at the bottom of the list, are: Somalia, South Sudan and Syria.