08.12.2016
Between December 12-14, a delegation of Latvian anti-corruption experts will arrive in Kyiv. The delegation consists of representatives of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau and Transparency International Latvia. They will meet Ukrainian officials and representatives of civil society organizations to discuss ideas with Ukraine on how to control party finances.
The Latvian Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) is a leading specialised anti-corruption authority of Latvia, and the Ukrainian NACP may follow its example in its work. Taking the sphere of control over party finances, the Latvian Treasury had a budget increase of 3,500,000 euros at the expense of violators of the legislation over the past 12 years. Penalties are not the only punishment.
In October, КNAB together with the police arrested the mayor of Jurmala, Gatis Truksnis and millionaire businessman Julis Krūmiņš for exceeding the limit of party financing. Due to the strict legislation, the Latvian political system is much more transparent than Ukraine’s, and, generally, this post-Soviet country is far ahead in its development.
The Latvian delegation consists of four representatives:
– Janis Volberts, Director of Transparency International Latvia;
– Inga Jaunskunga, Head of the Political party finance in the Latvian Corruption Prevention and Combating bureau;
– Juta Strike, former deputy Head at KNAB;
– Inese Voika, senior anti-corruption expert at Transparency International Latvia.
The visit to Ukraine includes meetings with civil society representatives, NACP, the Counting Chamber, the Central Election Commission, the Ministry of Justice, and the Latvian Embassy. Transparency International Ukraine as a leader of anti-corruption practices, organizes such visit, to improve political financing system in Ukraine, making it more transparent. This is one of the strategic directions of the organization’s activity.
On December 12, Inga Jaunskunga and Juta Strike will deliver a lecture entitled «How to Efficiently Control Party Financing?». Please register here to participate in the lecture.
