Fico: We've Taken Many Serious Steps to Combat Corruption

Paris, March 30 (TASR-correspondent) – Corruption is an issue that is currently influencing politics and society, and Slovakia is paying close attention to it, stated Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) at the 2017 OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum that is taking place in Paris between March 30-31.

During his speech Fico also stated that Slovakia has carried out serious measures to combat corruption.

The Slovak prime minister held talks with Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Secretary General Jose Angel Gurria. Fico praised the OECD’s activities by saying that the institution is extremely effective in terms of its ability to focus on a particular problem within an individual country.

Fico further noted that Slovakia has asked the OECD to carry out an audit of the country’s legislation. “The first results should be known in June,” said the premier, adding that Slovakia will certainly work with potential comments and recommendations from the OECD.

As specific examples of combating corruption in Slovakia, Fico mentioned the adoption of the so-called Anti-letterbox Act, the electronic marketplace and the law on protecting whistleblowers. “I want to encourage people in Slovakia that have information about corruption to be unafraid of reporting it,” he said, praising the work of the police in this area.

While in Paris the Slovak premier also criticised the Opposition. “All day long there are thousands of accusations without evidence. This doesn’t help to fight corruption,” he said, adding that he’d be pleased if his visit to Paris were seen as an attempt to shift the topic to the area of rational solutions.

The OECD is an organisation based in Paris whose member countries have strong economies and recognise the values and principles of democracy and the market economy.