Degert: Widespread corruption in Serbia's public procurement
15. December 2010. | 06:18
Source: Tanjug
Public procurement in Serbia reaches EUR 4 billion each year, which is 15 percent of the GDP, with 50,000 contracts signed annually, and it is the field where corruption is at its worst, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert warned Tuesday.
Public procurement in Serbia reaches EUR 4 billion each year, which is 15 percent of the GDP, with 50,000 contracts signed annually, and it is the field where corruption is at its worst, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert warned Tuesday.
Bringing things into order in this sector is very important for the country's EU integration, Degert noted, adding that the European Commission questionnaire for Serbia contained 26 questions on this subject.
Serbia is ranked 83rd on a list of 180 countries when it comes to corruption, which is not good, he stated. The EU 2009 report says that little has been done to fix the issues with open procurements, he added.
The EU will not play a policeman, but it has to help Serbia get through the necessary changes, Degert asserted, adding that the rules guiding public procurement cannot be changed every day.
Employees have to be trained better and the justice system needs to be able to combat corruption efficiently, he concluded.
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