Transparency International: Corruption still challenges the Western Balkans

In a report published on Tuesday, the international organization "Transparency International", which measures the perception of corruption worldwide, estimates that this phenomenon continues to be widespread in the Western Balkan countries, where Albania and Kosovo are the only countries in this region that have marked improvement, while Serbia, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina marked a decline over the last year.

This year, the countries of the region are geographically included as part of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, regions which, according to Transparency International, continue to have one of the lowest scores on the organization's corruption perception index, with an average of 35 out of a total of 100 points.

“In several countries, weak democratic institutions and the rule of law are being exacerbated by persistent instability and external pressures,” the report says. “This situation allows corruption to flourish while undermining public trust, sustainable development, and climate action.”

In the Corruption Perceptions Index, according to Transparency International, Albania has improved by five points, with a score of 42 points in 2024, compared to the previous year. It ranks 80th out of 180 countries included in the report.

According to the report, the improvement in Albania has come as a result of the work of the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime, which in recent years has conducted investigations into senior officials from across the political spectrum. Transparency International considers SPAK's work as one of the "bright spots" in its analysis of the countries in the region.

“In Albania, the prosecution and special anti-corruption court, SPAK, has gained the trust of residents after convicting former ministers, members of parliament and mayors. SPAK continues to conduct investigations against a former president, former prime minister and other senior public officials,” the report states.

But the report warns that many of the countries in the region “lack relevant laws controlling political finance, lack transparency around lobbying or ownership issues, and that governments in the region largely ignore the public interest, using special legislation to avoid scrutiny over high-value strategic investments.” It singles out the example of Albania, saying that “the government has entered into questionable agreements for foreign investments worth billions of dollars, risking the destruction of the valuable Vjosa River.”

Among the countries in the region that show improvement in Transparency International's corruption perception index is Kosovo, which in 2024 marked a progress of 3 points compared to the previous year, to a total of 44 points. It ranks 73rd out of 180 countries included in the report. Within a decade, Kosovo has improved by 11 points, according to Transparency International's index.

In the region, the largest and most persistent decline continues to be seen in Serbia, which is rated at 35 points, ranking 105th out of 180 countries included. This country has marked a one-point decline compared to 2023.

"The dominant role of the executive and institutional vulnerabilities to corruption are increasing as a result of President Aleksandar Vučić's strong control," the report says.

"Transparency International cites the example of protests sparked by the Serbian government's refusal to hold accountable the roof collapse at the Novi Sad railway station, which killed 15 people, as highlighting corruption in the government," according to the report.

The report also highlights the "lack of appropriate anti-corruption measures" in the interstate agreements and special legislation on the basis of which the Serbian government is undertaking the organization of the EXPO fair and the "Serbia 2027" project, which are worth $18.5 billion.

Among the countries that have seen significant declines in Transparency International's corruption perception index is Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has fallen six places in the last decade. With 33 points, or two less than in 2023, it ranks 114th out of 180 countries.

The report emphasizes that current legislation on corruption in Bosnia and Herzegovina is still insufficient to ensure the independence of the judiciary.

The report also criticizes, as it says, “Montenegro’s half-hearted approach to reforms, which have left the capture of the judiciary unaddressed, jeopardizing the progress made by the Special State Prosecutor’s Office and continuing the impunity of high-level officials.” Montenegro has not changed, while it has 45 points and ranks 65th in the organization’s index.

North Macedonia also dropped two points from the previous year, with a score of 40 points and a ranking of 88th out of the countries included in the report.

With most of the region's countries aiming to integrate into the European Union, Transparency International is calling on them to establish more effective anti-corruption mechanisms and strengthen the rule of law./VOA