OSCE supports anti-corruption study visit of Kyrgyz law enforcement officers to Georgia

BISHKEK, 12 October 2015 – The OSCE Centre in Bishkek is supporting a five-day study visit by Kyrgyz law enforcement officers to Georgia, which began today with the aim of enhancing their capacities to effectively combat and prevent corruption in the public sector.

Ten officials from the Kyrgyz Defence Council, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Anti-corruption Service of the National Security State Committee and the State Service for Combatting Economic Crimes will exchange experiences, build networks and improve co-operation between agencies in the fight against corruption.

“The OSCE Centre in Bishkek is strongly committed to continue supporting the efforts of the Kyrgyz government in combating corruption,” said Yulia Minaeva, the Senior Economic and Environmental Officer at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. “In this regard, the Istanbul Anti-corruption Action Plan of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) represents an effective mechanism for monitoring the progress and efficiency of anti-corruption measures and reforms.”

Zurab Sanikidze, Director of the Analytical Department at the Justice Ministry of Georgia said that it was of utmost importance for Georgia to effectively implement the recommendations made by international organizations. He also provided participants of the study trip with detailed information about Georgia’s experience in this field.

During the trip, the delegation will be acquainted with Georgian anti-corruption legislation and strategic policy documents and learn about their experiences in dismantling corruption schemes in public services. Furthermore the participants will raise the topical corruption-related issues affecting Kyrgyzstan in order to apply best practices in their daily work.

This study visit is a part of the OSCE Centre’s project to assist the Kyrgyz government in combatting financial crimes, corruption, money laundering and the financing of terrorism and is organized as a follow up event to the OECD-OSCE workshop on corruption prevention which took place in Zagreb, May 2015.