The work of the Conference of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE CSCE), on "Fighting Corruption, Defending Democracy: the role of national parliaments", continued and concluded today.
The theme of the third session of the Conference was the contribution of independent institutions and the media in preventing and fighting corruption,
Former Attorney General Costas Clerides stressed that in order to fight corruption effectively, close cooperation between truly independent and strengthened audit and prosecution authorities is required. He also noted the importance of the co-existence of stringent legislative measures and indiscriminate enforcement bodies.
The Auditor General Mr. Odysseas Michaelides, referring to corruption phenomena in Cyprus, stressed that the fight against corruption requires the effective exercise of the supervisory role of the audit authorities, parliaments and the media, as well as cooperation between them.
The co-founder of the "Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting" Project Mr. Drew Sullivan and the editor of the "Bureau of Investigative Journalism Enablers" Project, Mr. Franz Wild, referred to the important role played by the media and investigative journalism in the field of fighting corruption and stressed the importance of supporting their work. OSCE Special Representative on Anti-Corruption, Ms. Irene Charalambidou, underlined that parliaments should strengthen their efforts to protect independent institutions and the media in order to continue to play their important role in the field of anti-corruption. In particular, she highlighted the need to change the way independent officials are appointed in order to ensure their independence and avoid external interference in the performance of their duties. OSCE Chairperson Ms. Margareta Cederfelt, expressing thanks for the hosting by the House of Representatives of this important Conference, underlined the importance of further strengthening the cooperation of the OSCE and its Parliamentary Assembly with other international organizations to address common threats and challenges. On the situation in Ukraine in particular, Ms Cederfelt stressed the need for unity within the OSCE and for the Assembly to make a constructive contribution to efforts to bring peace to the region through dialogue.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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