Corruption is a substantial threat[/B] to the foundations of a transparent, accountable and multilateral system and to the very foundations of democratic states, Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides stressed in his speech at the opening of the Conference of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on the theme: "Fighting Corruption, Defending Democracy: The Role of National Parliaments", hosted by the House of Representatives.
He also noted that in Cyprus, which has not escaped the scourge of corruption, the fight against corruption requires constant vigilance and full commitment.
He said that corruption undermines the rule of law, weakens the legitimacy of institutions and erodes the trust of citizens. "The contemporary crisis about our citizens' lack of trust in their institutions is deeply linked to the spread of corruption," he added.
Therefore, he said, anti-corruption efforts should be an integral part of a comprehensive approach to these "burning issues of our time," which have the potential to undermine the effectiveness of multilateral cooperation.
"It is our common responsibility to fight corruption and to encourage governments and parliaments to cooperate and create synergies in this effort," he added.
The Minister also pointed out that the shocking events unfolding at the moment will have a long-lasting impact on the wider region and beyond and will certainly test the resilience of multilateralism, adding that Cyprus has long been a champion of the intrinsic value of multilateralism.
"The paramount importance of multilateralism has always been recognised by the OSCE and we must redouble our efforts to ensure that our commitment to it never wavers," he said.
At the same time, he stressed the importance of parliaments as partners in the common goal of eliminating corruption and strengthening the institutions and regulations needed to achieve it.
"Our country has unfortunately not escaped this scourge. However, from these difficulties and setbacks, we have learned and improved. As is always the case for all countries, this is an ongoing process that requires constant vigilance and full commitment," he noted.
He added that the conference is an excellent opportunity for exchanges that will facilitate these efforts.
Source: CNA
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