ZDK Government Realizes Another Important Goal from the Expose: Set of Anti-Corruption Laws Adopted

(Patria) - The Assembly of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, at today's session, unanimously adopted the Bill on Reporting and Verification of Property Data of Public Office Holders.

The Draft Law on Prevention and Suppression of Corruption in the Zenica-Doboj Canton was also adopted by a majority vote at the session.

"We are witnessing the fulfillment of one of the most important goals contained in the expose of this Government. Today, we managed to complete the package of anti-corruption laws that received the support of the Assembly of the Zenica-Doboj Canton," said the Prime Minister of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, Nezir Pivić.

The Prime Minister emphasized that he is pleased with the unanimous adoption of the Bill on Reporting and Verification of Property Data of Public Office Holders, which will oblige all public office holders to report their property at the beginning of their mandate, changes in property during their mandate, as well as submit a report on the status of their property at the end of their mandate, for themselves and their close relatives.

"With this, we have shown that we want to engage in a decisive fight against corruption in order to restore trust in government institutions and the system. It is important that we have completed the Office for the Fight Against Corruption, which will ultimately implement these laws. What is concerning is the fact that a part of the opposition, which declaratively advocates the most for the fight against corruption, did not support the draft law today, which is very important and can be further improved through public debate," said Prime Minister Pivić.

The Minister of Justice and Administration of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, Nebojša Nikolić, thanked the representatives for their unanimous support, emphasizing that this is the result of many years of development of the anti-corruption system in this canton.

"This law represents an important step in further strengthening the corruption prevention system and confirms the commitment of the Zenica-Doboj Canton to transparent and responsible work of institutions," said Nikolić.

The Secretary of the Office for the Fight Against Corruption of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, Dževad Fejzić, explained that the Law on Prevention and Suppression of Corruption represents a preventive tool that clearly defines the competencies and procedures of the Office for the Fight Against Corruption.

"The essence of adopting this law is to clearly define the competencies of the Office for the Fight Against Corruption by law so that there are precise procedures for acting on certain issues and cases. The Office has drafted an exceptionally high-quality law, and a public debate will be conducted in all local self-government units," stated Fejzić.

At today's session, the Bill on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Higher Education and the Bill on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on the Public Institution University of Zenica were also adopted, by a shortened procedure.