Corruption in the Region, a Security Risk

Corruption creates vulnerability, erodes the economy and democracy of a state. This is an opinion shared by Bucharest and Washington high officials alike.

România Internațional, 10.09.2014, 12:20

Corruption and how to fight it efficiently were high on the US Seputy Assistant Secretary of State Hyot Yees agends of talks with the Romanian officials. According to the American official, corruption, this endemic phenomenon in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, undermines the economy and erodes democracy, being one of the main obstacles in the way of a free and united Europe. The solution to combating corruption and organized crime does not exclusively rely on adequate national policies.

According to Hoyt Yee, a common regional front and inter-state cooperation is needed to fight this scourge. The US official has signed in Bucharest a new cooperation agreement between the US Department of State and the South-East European Law Enforcement Center based in Bucharest. In a declaration for the public radio station he underlined the important role played by the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center in eradicating cross-border crime.

Hoyt Yee talked with the Romanian officials about the importance of regional cooperation in fighting organized crime, human and drug trafficking as well as cross-border crime. These phenomena cannot be fought against by one country alone. Countries need cooperation with their neighbors, the American official went on to say, adding that it is to Romania’s advantage to have in its capital a Southeast European Law Enforcement Center. According to Hoyt Yee the most important thing for Romania is to strengthen the exchange of information, regional cooperation and also the exchange of good practices.

Corruption was also a dominant theme at the meeting organized by the Aspen Institute in Romania, which was attended by the US official and the head of the Romanian Intelligence Service, George Maior. According to the latter, corruption is one of the main causes of instability in Ukraine which is reason enough for Romania to consider corruption an issue of national security.