Brčić and Glaser: Independence of the Anti-Corruption Office is the Top Priority

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Minister of Justice and Administration of Sarajevo Canton Lejla Brčić held a meeting with the Director of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) at the Embassy of the United States of America in BiH, Stephen Glaser, and Program Coordinator Lejla Begtašević-Rudalija.

The meeting discussed the undertaken and planned activities that the Government and the Office for the Fight against Corruption and Quality Management of Sarajevo Canton are implementing in the fight against all forms of corruption in Sarajevo Canton. Support and ways in which this Bureau can assist the work and activities of the Government and the Ministry in this area were also discussed.

“This was an opportunity to inform the INL delegation that, although this year's Budget of Sarajevo Canton is 160 million less compared to the previous one, we managed to secure about 30 percent more funds for the financing of the Office compared to 2020. The financial independence and staffing capacity of the Office are one of the priorities of this Government,” emphasized Minister Brčić.

These funds will enable the Office to employ five new officers, which represents a strengthening of its staff, all with the aim of a broader and stronger fight against corruption in the public sector of Sarajevo Canton.

The need for stronger cooperation between the Ministry, the Office, and the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office was discussed, in order to more effectively prosecute corruption crimes in Sarajevo Canton.

A consensus was also reached at the meeting that the independence of the Office's operations must not be compromised or jeopardized in any way, which represents the top priority for both sides.

Among the activities that the Ministry will work on in the coming period, the adoption of the Law on Prohibition of Nepotism was announced, as well as considering the possibility of adopting the Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest and the Law on Whistleblower Protection at the Canton level, and until these issues are regulated at higher levels of government, the implementation of the Regulation on Public Procurement Control, as well as strengthening the capacity of public administration.

The INL delegation commended the Government of Sarajevo Canton for organizing a thematic session on the fight against corruption, which will be held on February 18, 2021, and which, in addition to the Head of the Office, Erduan Kafedžić, will also be attended by the Senior Advisor for Anti-Corruption in this Office, Eric Larson, otherwise an official of the U.S. Government. As pointed out, raising awareness about the importance of preventive action and the fight against corruption is an activity that must be present daily, and government sessions on this topic send a message of full commitment.

Let us recall that in November 2019, the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Edin Forto, U.S. Ambassador to BiH Eric Nelson, and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jorgan Andrews signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Sarajevo Canton and the U.S. Embassy in BiH, which addresses the support and assistance that the U.S. will provide to the Government of Sarajevo Canton in the fight, detection, and sanctioning of corruption.