Corruption is present in day-to-day life and represents a major issue for ordinary people in Western Balkans despite unemployment and poor living standards, Gallup Europe Managing Director Robert Manchin said.

According to a latest Gallup survey, corruption together with organised crime hamper serious investments in the region and they make the lives of ordinary people almost unbearable.

Over 90% of the respondents in Serbia, Croatia and BiH said the business climate was deeply involved in corruption and that the judicial system was ineffective. Only 21% said that judiciary operated well and the rest stated that courts were nothing more than corruption hotbed.

Manchin said the citizens of Western Balkans had trust in EU, believing it could eradicate corruption.