A report on her most recent activities as Special Representative on Anti-Corruption was presented on Tuesday by the head of the Cypriot delegation and Vice-Chair of the COE. According to a statement by the House of Representatives, Ms. Charalambidou first referred to her working visit to the United States last March as a member of a high-level delegation of the OSCE.
According to a statement by the House of Representatives, Ms. Charalambidou first referred to her working visit to the United States last March as a member of a high-level delegation of the Assembly. Referring to the delegation's contacts in Washington, Ms Charalambidou said that she had the opportunity to point out to her interlocutors the impact of corruption on security, the economy and democracy. At the same time, she stressed the need for continuous modernization of the legislative framework related to the fight against corruption, as well as for strict supervision of its implementation.
Ms. Charalambidou also referred to the OSCE CSO International Conference entitled "Fighting Corruption, Defending Democracy: the Role of National Parliaments", which was hosted by the House of Representatives on 27 and 28 May on her own initiative. The Cypriot Vice President of the OSCE CSO recalled that the Conference was attended by more than 150 delegates from almost 30 countries, while the speakers included officials of international organisations, Cypriot officials, representatives of international non-governmental organisations, investigative journalists. The Conference, she said, was a first-class opportunity for national parliaments to exchange experiences and good practices in preventing and fighting corruption and enhancing transparency.
Summarising the conclusions of the Conference, Ms Charalambidou said that it was reaffirmed by the participants that the fight against corruption must remain a priority for the OSCE member states and that political will is a necessary precondition for the implementation of long-term reforms. In addition, she said, the importance of the adoption of a Code of Conduct by national parliaments was underlined, which should include practical measures for its implementation, while it was stressed that independent institutions, judicial authorities, national parliaments and the media have an essential role to play, the Special Representative on Anti-Corruption noted.
Ms. Charalambidou also informed the OSCE JCC Plenary that the President of the Assembly, Ms. Margareta Cederfelt, during her stay in Cyprus, was received by the President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades and had separate meetings with the Speaker of the House of Representatives Anita Demetriou and the Minister of Defence Haralambos Petrides.
Source: CNA
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