A meeting of the Foreign Advisory Panel (FAP) of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) took place on 23 January 2007. Representatives of foreign embassies, foreign investors and other partners took part to the meeting. The meeting discussed the results achieved by KNAB in 2006 and the main priorities in 2007.
About 30 persons took part to the meeting, including ambassadors of several European Union member states, USA, Moldova and Turkey, representatives from the embassies of Austria, Belarus, France, Israel, the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, UK, Norway, Poland, as well as representatives of the recently established Central Anti-Corruption Bureau of Poland.
The Director of KNAB informed the meeting about the main developments in 2006, including detected corrupt offences and main legal initiatives. The Deputy Director of KNAB in charge of investigations made a presentation about the role and powers of KNAB in conducting criminal intelligence and investigations, including the supervision by prosecutors and respect of human rights.
The representatives of foreign countries participating to the FAP congratulated KNAB for its efforts in preventing and combating corruption in Latvia and praised the increasing public awareness about corruption in Latvia and trust in KNAB. Interest was expressed about progress made by courts in reviewing cases started by KNAB. It was noted that while there are less small scale, individual bribery cases, the number of cases showing systemic character of corruption is growing. Participants to the meeting were interested in relationship of KNAB and political parties, its institutional independence, system of declaring income of private persons in Latvia, as well as international bribery and cooperation with responsible bodies abroad.
The FAP was created shortly after establishing KNAB. It brings together representatives of foreign countries and international organisations, as well as of foreign investors in Latvia. The FAP is meeting about 2 times a year. The aim of FAP is to inform about activities of KNAB and explore opportunities for cooperation and assistance.
Main results in 2006 >>>
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