At the kick off conference of the project “Prevention and fight against corruption” Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Sem Fabrizi said that combating corruption was important not only as a condition necessary to open chapter 23, but also for the people in Serbia.

Fabrizi said that the project, funded through IPA 2013 programme, would run for 30 months and was expected to deliver on three goals – establishment of a clear legal framework; prevention strengthening; and enhancing repression capacity.

He welcomed the recent appointment of the Director of Anti-Corruption Agency and said he hoped that the new Law on the Agency would be adopted soon.

Fabrizi said that a European Commission delegation would visit Serbia in November to look into high-level corruption cases and take stock of the progress in resolving those cases.

Justice Minister Nela Kuburovic said that Serbian Government had put the goal of achieving zero tolerance for corruption at the top of its priorities and announced the formation of strike forces within prosecutors’ offices and further training of police officers, prosecutors and judges in the matters of financial crime and corruption.

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Fight against organised crime, financial crime and corruption requires a swift and efficient criminal proceeding, in line with criminal offences defined by amendments to the Criminal Code, adopted in November 2016, recalled Kuburovic.

The preparation for enforcement of new legal solutions and measures would be done by the end of 2017 or in early 2018 in order to create all necessary conditions for efficient start of reform, scheduled for 1 March 2018, she said.

Deputy Republic Public Prosecutor Zorica Stojsic said that corruption was detrimental to citizens, which was why combating was one of the authorities’ priorities.

Stojsic said that combatting corruption was one of the priorities under the chapter 23 Action Plan, adding that resolute prosecution of all its forms was of prime concern for the authorities.

Anti-Corruption Agency Director Majda Krsikapa said that the project would contribute to a more efficient implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan as well as chapter 23 Action Plan.

“The adoption of a new Law on Anti-Corruption Agency, as a new umbrella law regulating Agency’s operation, is of tremendous importance,” she added.