Parliament plays a fundamental role in fighting corruption, given the instruments it has for adopting and monitoring the implementation of laws, but society must realize that this phenomenon cannot be combated without a concerted effort. The subject was discussed at a regional seminar in Chisinau on November 18, IPN reports.

Speaker Igor Corman said Parliament should work out integrity standards that would be used to optimize the work of public institutions, which should be provided with the instruments needed to fulfill their duties. The mentality will change when the people realize that they should not give bribe when they want to solve their problems and that they must contribute to eradicating corruption,” he stated.

UN Resident Coordinator Nicola Harrington-Buhay said the addressing of corruption-related problems is essential for the countries with vibrant and healthy democracies. “We consider that the support we offer to the Moldovan lawmakers is vital as they play the role of monitoring the implementation of the national legislation and the international commitments of the countries of the United Nations Convention against Corruption,” stated Nicola Harrington-Buhay.

Corruption hampers the country’s development. This is the opinion of 80% of the Moldovans, according to Transparency International Moldova. The Moldovan people place corruption third in the list of problems they face, after poverty and unemployment. Transparency International Moldova expert Iana Spinei said the legislature plays a major role in combating corruption. The Parliament’s will to prevent and combat corruption is a precondition for reducing corruption in Moldova.

Moldova signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption in 2004 and ratified it in 2007. The two-day seminar was organized by the Parliament of Moldova with the support of the UNDP Democracy Program that is financed by the Governments of Denmark and Sweden. It involved MPs from Serbia, Romania, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.