The 29th Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE JPA) continues in Birmingham, UK. The head of the Cypriot delegation to the Organisation and Vice-Chairperson of the CoR. Ms. Irene Charalambidou, Head of the Cypriot Delegation to the OSCE, presented yesterday to the members of the Assembly a report on her most recent activities as Special Representative on Anti-Corruption.
She first referred to her working visit to the United States last March as a member of a high-level delegation to the Assembly. Referring to the delegation's contacts in Washington, Ms Charalambidou said she had the opportunity to highlight 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 strict supervision in its implementation. OSCE International Conference entitled "Fighting Corruption, Defending Democracy: the Role of National Parliaments", which, on her own initiative, was hosted by the House of Representatives on 27 and 28 May. The Cypriot Vice President of the C.S. She 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. Ms Charalambidou stressed that the Conference 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 anti-corruption measures. In this regard, the leading role that national parliaments can play in both preventing and addressing corruption by passing the appropriate legislative framework and exercising parliamentary control was highlighted, Ms. Charalambidou said. In addition, the importance of the adoption of a Code of Conduct by National Parliaments, which should include practical measures for its implementation, was underlined, while it was stressed that independent institutions, judicial authorities, National Parliaments and the media have an essential role to play, the Special Representative on Combating Corruption noted.
Ms. Charalambidou also informed the Plenary of the OSCE JC that the President of the Assembly, Ms. Margareta Cederfelt, during her stay in Cyprus, was received by the President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Anastasiades and had separate meetings with the Speaker of the House of Representatives Ms. Anita Demetriou and the Minister of Defence Mr. Charalambos Petrides.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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