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The informal economy is a multi-faceted problem and as a result, it needs to be tackled in a comprehensive way, with a full government approach. What we have been seeing in some countries is that this is not the case – there are partial ways of trying to address informality (even though the problem is acknowledged). This calls for a comprehensive look, not only from the angle of a particular ministry or institution.
“If we look at the European integration process as a box-ticking exercise, it would be easy…but we know that this is not the case – rules are only useful when they are enforced.”
“In every country, leaders seem to regard political office as a source of patronage to stay in power. Addressing the so-called state capture and rooting out these influences must be a top priority”
Corruption remains a major impediment to progress in this region. It is the cancer that saps strength from our democracies and drives up unemployment and civil unrest. More than that, it opens vulnerabilities that autocrats, petro states, and violent extremists exploit. All those who seek to stir up trouble here find an easy gateway when dirty money can buy corrupt politicians and undercut democratic governance and the rule of law.
The new approach of opening chapters 23 and 24 earlier in accession negotiations can push the implementation of necessary long-term reforms beyond the term of a single government. The countries need to have real anti-corruption mechanisms that stand the test and are systematically used to expose illegal wealth. Lately however the countries embrace the soft preventive tools, and effective enforcement is missing.
Rooting out corruption, increased transparency and how government operates, making sure that regulations are not designed just to advantage elites, but are allowing people who have a good idea to get out there and get things done.
World opinion makers say corruption has increased; and that power and technology generate grand corruption. We face new challenges. The time is ripe for a new rule book to fight corruption. Most of us prioritize the bribe giver, and the bribe taker. This morning, I suggest we sharpen our focus on the middlemen. The enablers of corruption; those who profit off its proceeds.
Corruption drains your economy, it eats into progress, it is an everyday tiresome blight on people’s lives. It’s time to end it – by prosecuting and punishing it, but also preventing it, through a new culture.