The Federal Government of Yugoslavia has decided yesterday to join the Pact's Anti-Corruption Initiative, while the Serbian Government has already elaborated a comprehensive action plan to battle corruption. This includes a taxation on unrightfully acquired income during the regime of the previous government, instigated by Serbian Finance Minister Bozidar Djelic.

The Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact, Bodo Hombach, commended the Belgrade authorities on this vital move, stressing that this is another very important step on the promising way to integrating fully into Stability Pact structures and its working spirit.

Hombach said, at a joint press conference with Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, that the Stability pact's fight against corruption is born out of the conviction that corruption is a serious threat to the development and stability of south eastern European countries. Hombach said he was very pleased to see that Belgrade was actively taking the same line.

The Serbian Government had previously prepared an action plan for fighting corruption, which is seen by experts as in line with international and European standards. Hombach referred to this plan as a very good starting platform.

By joining the Anti-Corruption Initiative, F.R. Yugoslavia is entitled to participate in activities out of a full catalogue of anti-corruption measures, which are being assessed, applied and evaluated in several countries of the region under the auspices of the OECD as implementing agency.

The Initiative takes a cross-the-board approach to fighting corruption, by assisting to adopt international instruments containing anti-corruption provision, by promoting good governance, by strengthening the rule of law, by promoting transparency - including the media - and integrity in business conduct and by developing an active civil society.

The latter aspect has been addressed at the last meeting of the Anti-Corruption initiative's Steering Board in Cavtat (Croatia, 17/19 September), where Yugoslavia already participated as an observer.

The Stability Pact Anti-Corruption Initiative has been adopted in Sarajevo in February 2000. The partaking countries are Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Romania and, as of now, Yugoslavia. Montenegro has already been participating in Initiative activities beforehand, while Moldova has expressed interest to join.