For years BiH has been the only country in the region without progress in the fight against corruption

Sarajevo, December 01, 2011. – Transparency International launched the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2011 according to which Bosnia and Herzegovina has not achieved significant progress in fighting corruption, which shows the fact that BiH is ranked between 91st to 94th position in an index that covers 182 countries based on the perceived level of public sector corruption. BiH’s score in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index is only 3.2, ranging from 10 – no corruption to 1 – absolute corruption), the same as in 2010. Regarding the previous year, BiH has not made a move towards fighting against corruption, and when compared to the period between 2007 and 2011 it has not achieved significant progress

BiH is ranked lower than all of the former Yugoslavian republics, from which Slovenia with 35th place emerges in the highest position. Croatia is ranked 66th on the scale, Macedonia 69th, Serbia 86th, while UNMIK Kosovo is ranked in the112th place below the BiH rate.

The position of Bi in relation to these countries was no different in previous years, considering the fact that all countries in the region had approximate CPI scale scores five years ago. CPI shows that BiH still lags behind others in the region, needless to say of how much the situation in BiH has deteriorated in relation to developed European countries

In the view of deterioration of BiH, regarding other countries in the region, it has been shown in the Progress Reports of the European Commission, in which the Commission recommends granting EU candidate status to Serbia and the opening of accession negotiations between EU and Montenegro is adopted while Croatia will become a European Union member next year. BiH has received a negative assessment, particularly  referring to efficiency in the fight against corruption.

Therefore, institutions in BiH have to take such findings as a call to awakening and urgent action in order for BiH to keep pace with countries in the region and hope for some progress in implementing multiple reforms, and also to take a step forward for the European Union. Otherwise, BiH will lose the last chance to accede to the region and corruption may lead to the completely collapse of stability and endanger the future of the country.

Please find enclosed:

• CPI chart.
• Media report