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International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Friday, 26.04.2024, 02:27

Lithuania lacks perception on what is corruption in private sector

BC, Vilnius, 10.12.2014.Print version
The European Union and national legislation obliges to establish liability for corruption in the private sector. Meanwhile, Lithuania lacks a definition of what is corruption in the private sector, says Dr Petras Ragauskas, chief research staff member of the Institute of Law, cites LETA/ELTA.

According to the scientists, an opinion prevails that the private sector deals with its internal problems itself and that there is no need for additional interference. Nonetheless, this is not always the case because frequently the public or consumers fall victim to corruption, while their interests must be actively protected by the state.

 

On Tuesday, a research by the Institute of Law was presented and discussed at the Presidential Palace during the round-table discussion Possibilities of the Responsible Business to Reduce Corruption in the Private Sector. Scientists analysed a number of laws and sociological studies.

 

Scientists examined various abuse, dishonest competition and fraud cases in different business areas. For example, the media, sport, private education and science, legal and health services. The objective was to determine whether aforementioned phenomena may be regarded corruption and who suffers the most harm, business, consumers or society.

 

Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius assures that society plays the main role in the fight against corruption.

 

"Talking about the National Anti-corruption Programme for 2015-2025, it is of a very high quality. We must assess the positive changes in the fight against corruption, statistics show that the situation in Lithuania is improving. () society's interest in the issue has also increased. Without society's assistance and help no law enforcement institution can handle such problems. I am pleased that society's attitude regarding corruption perception is changing in Lithuania," Butkevicius told the national radio LRT.

 

In the corruption perception index, which was recently published by Transparency International, Lithuania was ranked 39th with 58 points of 100. A year ago it was ranked 43rd.

 

This year the National Anti-corruption Programme for 2011-2014 will be completed. Approximately 90 percent of the projected measures have already been implemented, while the rest are hoped to be implemented in December.

 

On Monday, 8 December, the Government approved the National Anti-corruption Programme for 2015-2025, which should take effect once adopted by Parliament.


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