prijava
SARAJEVO, July 22 (FENA) - Former International Prosecutor of the Prosecutor's Office of BiH and former Judicial Adviser at the US Embassy in Montenegro Erik Larson took office today as an advisor at the Sarajevo Canton Anti-Corruption Office.
“I am glad to return to Sarajevo. I have been working in the judiciary for over 35 years with an emphasis on preventing and fighting corruption. I will provide support to BiH colleagues who take action to identify, prevent and fight corruption,” Larson said.
He pointed out that the US Embassy in BiH is ready to help in that fight, and announced a number of new activities.
“My appointment is just one of many initiatives to provide a range of support. Ultimately, this is your fight. In order for BiH to be successful in the fight against corruption, it is necessary for all levels of government throughout the country to be committed to this cause,” he added.
He called on the citizens to report corruption to the competent institutions throughout BiH, and told all institutions and agencies to play a key role in reporting corrupt officials, adding that such a system must be established at all levels of government.
“The police and the prosecution must investigate and prosecute systemic corruption. The United States is ready. I am ready,” he said.
Prime Minister of the Sarajevo Canton, Mario Nenadić, said that he could proudly say that this event, as well as the results achieved by the Office justifies such a move.
“The Government of the Sarajevo Canton is determined that it needs such a team and an office. This is a specific institution, on the one hand it operates within the system, but on the other hand it also acts as an independent, which is regulated by law. The office is also responsible for quality management, which is very important for us in strengthening certain standards for the quality of functioning of institutions in the Sarajevo Canton,” said Nenadić.
Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in BiH Ellen Germain said that the US Government and its people are committed to BiH, which has its place among the democratic countries of Europe and which instills optimism for its citizens for the future.
“That optimism will be visible when all levels in BiH work for the benefit of the citizens, and not for the benefit of narrow personal interests, the pockets of politicians or their political parties. The citizens of BiH, like all citizens of the world, deserve quality administration, to have confidence that public funds, the money they produce through their work, are used to improve their daily lives,” she pointed out.
She said obstacles to a better life for BiH citizens are corrupt politicians, the justice sector under the influence of political interests, journalists who are being threatened for reporting on corruption, public services used to promote or defend personal and political interests, public companies under political control, and politicians who prefer to promote ethnic divisions to maintain control rather than providing quality governance.
“We give not only verbal, but also concrete support. And I hope that we will have offices like this throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. Erik Larson will do his job in the Sarajevo Canton and will be a resource not only for this office, but also for organizations and individuals throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina who are committed to fair government and the fight against corruption,” underlined Germain.
(FENA) S. R.
