On the eve of the third EU Eastern Partnership summit Transparency International is calling for more information on the use of EU financial assistance in Eastern Partnership countries to be provided, and urges to disclose Association and other agreements in prior to their signature.
Revealing the texts (in whole or in part) of agreements negotiated with the EU in advance would enable the public to become familiar with EU requirements and the obligations of local politicians before such agreements are either signed or rejected. Transparency International also urges for more information on the extent and use of EU financial assistance in partner countries, and also for EU institutions to ensure a unanimous opinion on the processes developing in Eastern Partnership countries.
Carl Dolan, the executive director of the Transparency International European Union Office, noted that the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius could be an excellent opportunity for greater transparency in cooperation between the EU and Eastern partner states, hoping that the politicians meeting in Vilnius would agree to apply higher transparency standards for the grant and use of EU financial assistance, and when publicizing cooperation agreements.
The levels of corruption either grew or remained unchanged in all Eastern Partnership countries, with the exception of Georgia, in the last five years. According to the Global Corruption Barometer in 2013, the courts, the police and health care remain as the most corrupt sectors in these countries.
The Eastern Partnership countries include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine.
Analysis of the state of affairs and recommendations prepared by Transparency International for the European Union: 51,4 KB
More Information:
Nienke Palstra
Transparency International EU Office
+32 2 23 58643
npalstra@transparency.org
Rugilė Trumpytė
Transparency International Lithuanian Chapter
+37052126951