Remarks by Ambassador Ries - Release of Survey "Corruption in Albania: Perception and Experience 2005" (June 6, 2006)

Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Press:

It’s a privilege to be here for the release of this corruption perception survey. As you’ve already seen and heard, this survey – the expanded follow-up to the 2004 edition -- is an impressive collaborative and professional effort.

This survey is based on interviews with 3,000 Albanians from 10 cities and all walks of life. It is funded by USAID and backed by U.S. experts. It is the largest, most comprehensive survey of its kind ever carried out here in Albania.

So let me add my voice to Harry's in congratulating the Rule of Law project, and especially IDRA, for their extraordinary work and for the presentation we’ve just seen. I’d urge all of you to read this report in full.

You will all have the opportunity to hear directly from the experts in just a minute on the survey findings. My remarks will focus on the role of surveys in democratic governance.

This particular survey is by no means unique. Similar surveys are an important part of democratic societies. So, why are surveys important? They are important because they help all democratic institutions – by this I mean national governments, political parties, members of parliament, local governments, civil servants, police and judiciary to be more responsible and accountable to the citizens.

Good governance depends, among other factors, on accountability – it is especially so in a democratic society – the mutual exchange of responsibilities between citizens and officials, which is a core value of democracy.

Apart from elections, surveys are one of democracy’s most common avenues for citizen feedback.

Although surveys are still relatively new here in Albania and some people may still feel skeptical about their value, they are becoming more commonplace, and we think this is a good thing, because a survey is basically a very useful tool.

Bribery and other illicit transactions usually take place outside public scrutiny; they are very, very hard to measure. But empirical tools like surveys can help citizens and their representatives better understand the scope of the problem and – this is important – formulate effective responses.

In Albania what we’ve seen over the last few years is encouraging:

We’ve seen public support build for action against corruption. We’ve seen more aggressiveness and sophistication of news media in reporting corrupt practices. We’ve seen organizations and officials formulate sensible policies; many of which are now law, some in the early stages of implementation.

This implementation stage, however, is the most difficult part of the process and a lot of work needs to be done.

It cannot be successful unless there is a genuine consensus and cooperation on the part of all political forces and more transparency between citizens and government.

So much depends on true progress in the fight against corruption – NATO membership, EU accession, access to funding sources like the MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation), better credit evaluations, lower lending costs, and generally a better life for the people of Albania. Given how much is at stake, every available tool should be used to combat corruption.

We want people to see this survey as a baseline to measure perceptions of change in the future and the data as a helpful tool for policy formulation. It is meant to be educational for all - civil society, citizens, government, and public institutions.

So much has been said about corruption that the true scope and impact of it in Albania can be lost. This survey helps all of us re-focus on where the needs are and what needs to be done. Again, let me thank everyone involved in the creation of this important piece of work.

Thank you very much.