Special Report: Corruption in Southeast Europe
Despite efforts to bring economic and democratic reforms, many countries in Southeast Europe remain beset by corruption. This page highlights efforts to root out the corrupt practices that stifle economic growth and brings attention to efforts by NGOs and citizens who are working to improve the region.
Corruption case shocks Romanian justice system
21/05/2013
A high-profile corruption case has sparked calls for radical overhaul in the justice system.
Bloggers want corruption in health care stopped
18/05/2013
Medical workers' low income leads to corruption in region's health care system "directly affecting" patients' health, bloggers said.
Miskovic indictments help anti-corruption efforts
16/05/2013
By pressing charges stemming from corruption against one of Serbia's most influential businessmen, observers said the state is earning the public's support.
New corruption charges seen as an indictment of BiH politics
14/05/2013
Authorities say FBiH Deputy Prime Minister Jerko Ivankovic-Lijanovic and others bought votes to sway the 2010 election.
Sanader trials show commitment to fight corruption, analysts say
08/05/2013
Citizens say that joining the EU will also help boost the fight against corruption.
Regional meetings strengthen co-operation against corruption, crime
08/05/2013
Communication and regional-level discussion are some of the most effective tools in the fight against organised crime and corruption, officials and experts say.
Analysts question new transfer of authority law
08/05/2013
The Bosnia and Herzegovina government passed the amendments to the state law on conflicts of interest, but NGOs claim the changes fall short of transparency.
Kosovo Central Bank governor vows to prevent financial corruption
02/05/2013
In spite of opposition criticism, Central Bank Governor Bedri Hamza tells SETimes he is determined to maintain the bank's independence.
Corruption fight a 'priority,' BiH minister says
29/04/2013
The arrest of FBiH President Zivko Budimir and 18 other officials is a major crackdown on organised crime, agency said.
Kosovo telecom privatisation to boost economy
27/04/2013
The privatisation of Kosovo's Post-Telecom will benefit the country's budget, but some officials said the process was not transparent.
Corruption fight under way in regional education
26/04/2013
The recent arrest of 39 students and professors in Croatia brings the fight against corruption in the sector into the regional spotlight.
Experts laud Macedonia corruption arrest
26/04/2013
Macedonia is making an effort to crack down on corruption, officials and analysts said.
Serbia launches anti-corruption public awareness campaign
25/04/2013
The anticorruption agency and EU delegation are asking citizens to report fraudulent incidents.
Corruption sting leads to banking sector questions
18/04/2013
Police detain Croatian Handball Federation president Sandi Sola and members of his family in the high-profile arrests.
Slovenia telecom investigation extends to Kosovo and Macedonia
09/04/2013
The authorities estimate corruption losses from Telekom Slovenije at 25 million euros.
Region takes action to fight education corruption
04/04/2013
By promoting transparency and allowing anonymous reporting, states are working to stop corruption in higher education.
Serbia develops new anti-corruption strategy
02/04/2013
The new strategy intends to take zero tolerance approach in fight against corruption.
Croatia NGO posts procurement information online
01/04/2013
Integrity Observers gives the public access to procurement contracts, in an effort to reduce the possibility of corruption.
Plagiarism in the Balkans a growing phenomenon
23/03/2013
Bloggers said that teaching ethics and having authorities act on plagerised materials will help stop the growing problem.
Integrity plans are the backbone of Serbia's anti-corruption efforts
22/03/2013
Serbia's public sector and Anti-corruption Agency join forces to detect and prevent corruption.
Analysts: Croatia is ignoring outflow of illicit funds
19/03/2013
Croatia has lost more than 11 billion euros through corruption and commercial mispricing.
New RS government focuses on economy, corruption
18/03/2013
Although the new prime minister has plans to improve things, she may meet resistance from the opposition.
Republika Srpska, regional police pull the plug on electricity thieves
09/03/2013
Electric power theft costs Balkan companies millions of euros.
Corruption charges bolster hopes in Kosovo
09/03/2013
Recent corruption charges against a Prizren mayor and five other officials raise citizen hopes that the judicial system is doing its job.
High-level corruption sentences surprise Greeks
06/03/2013
Politicians are sentenced to jail time for corruption offences as the government gets tough on wrongdoers.
BiH, Serbia boost defenses against corruption
25/02/2013
In an effort to eradicate another of corruption's many faces, officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia are increasing dedication to their defence sectors.
Serbia is on the right track, experts say
22/02/2013
Belgrade is making progress on the country's most significant challenges.
Region is streamlining corruption investigations
19/02/2013
Too many institutions and the lack of co-ordinated legislation are hindering the fight against organised crime in the region, analysts say.
Massive match-fixing scandal blasts Europe's football
19/02/2013
Organised gambling rings and criminal groups have corrupted football, threatening the integrity of the world's most popular sport, officials said.
Greece intensifies efforts against corruption
16/02/2013
The government is making efforts to send tax cheats to jail.
Serbian citizens laud anti-corruption action
01/02/2013
Almost twice times as many citizens said the government is doing a good job fighting crime and corruption compared to eight months ago.
Minister questions Kolubara mine payments
31/01/2013
Past payments issued by state-owned Kolubara coal mining company has caused accusations of corruption.
Regional effort against smuggling and counterfeit goods intensifies
25/01/2013
Experts say co-operation among regional countries is important in battling smuggled goods.
Integrity is key in fight against corruption
22/01/2013
Macedonia may create a model system to promote integrity through an exchange of information from anti-corruption agencies.
Greek lawmakers OK probe of former finance minister
21/01/2013
MPs reject investigation of Socialist leader, two former premiers over Swiss bank list.
Region struggles with shadow economy
21/01/2013
Poor economic conditions lead to large numbers of undocumented workers.
Serbia, BiH to right privatisation wrongs
19/01/2013
A revision to the change of ownership is the expected next step in suspect privatisations.
Kosovo civil society targets public sector nepotism
09/01/2013
Experts said employment by political patronage can be overcome by more private sector jobs.
Serbian tycoon's business dealings under scrutiny
04/01/2013
Regional countries are asking Serbian authorities to broaden their investigation into tycoon Miodrag Miskovic.
Albania protests report of massive corruption
03/01/2013
The opposition said a recent report on money that was transferred out of Albania through illegal activities proves that the government is corrupt.
Banker's arrest may be a turning point on corruption
31/12/2012
The December arrest could signal a new stance in Athens on fighting corruption.
Measures against cigarette smuggling in Bulgaria yield results
29/12/2012
The number of contraband cigarettes sold in Bulgaria today is much smaller than several years ago, according to customs officials.
Tycoon's arrest encourages Serbian public
22/12/2012
Bloggers are relieved that the government is finally tackling shady privatisations, which they perceive as the root of organised crime.
Illegal fishing ring broken up in Macedonia
22/12/2012
Illegal fishing in Lake Ohrid has become big business in Macedonia and Albania.
Region seeks protection for corruption whistleblowers
17/12/2012
Laws in the region do not adequately protect whistleblowers or provide effective follow-up mechanisms to their disclosures.