Combatting High-level Corruption in Eastern Europe Insights and Solutions

Book excerpt: The study presents an analysis of the state of play in the fight against high-level corruption in Eastern Europe, with a focus on Eastern Partnership countries, highlighting the key underlying factors contributing to high-level corruption in the region – oligarchs and organised crime. It advocates for establishing a specialised anti-corruption institutional framework as a key solution. It details recent institutional developments and underscores the need to ensure real independence of anti-corruption agencies, provide them with sufficient resources and develop analytical capacities. The report also highlights the importance of strengthening co-operation with whistleblowers and investigative journalists and building a partnership between civil society and businesses. The study also calls on countries to address legislative deficiencies, such as complex mechanisms for lifting immunities, time limits for investigations and low statutes of limitations.