Azerbaijan's future without corruption

Today, the corruption is extremely important and urgent problem in political, economic and social life of both Azerbaijan and the world. Everyone knows what many people have already faced with bribery in practice. The fact is that the corruption exists in practically all spheres of society, it manifests itself in various forms and types.

According to the data provided by Transparency International, in 2010 amongst 178 countries worldwide, Azerbaijan ranked the 134^th with 2.4 points and has the same index with a number of countries - Bangladesh, Honduras, Nigeria, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Togo, Ukraine and Zimbabwe. It is a small progress as compared to 2009 (2.3 points).

2010 Corruption Perceptions Index indicates that nearly three-quarters of the 178 countries included in the Index scored less than 5 points on a scale from 10 (lowest level of perceived corruption) to 1 (the highest level of perceived corruption). 10 means that corruption is practically absent, and 0 - very high level of corruption.

Azerbaijan 's position in the ranking points to serious problems with corruption in the country and its "success" in achieving it significantly outstrips the national economy, while the Government has allocated huge funds to address the most urgent global problems - from the instability of financial markets to climate change and poverty.

Azerbaijan has joined several international and national specialized anti-corruption organizations, including Group of States Against Corruption, GRECO; ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE); World Bank Anti-Corruption Initiative, Anti-Corruption Network for Transition Economies (OECD); Transnational Crime and Corruption Center, Caucasus Office (TraCCC CO); Commission to coordinate activities to combat corruption, the Central Service for the Prevention of Corruption (SCPC); Office for the Prevention of and Fight against Corruption, the Special Investigation Service; Anti-Corruption Team (ØKOKRIM); Central Department of Investigations and Prosecutions; National Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (NAPO); State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (DKSK); Proactive Anti-corruption Agency, Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC); Bureau on Investigation of Corruption Crimes, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC); Fund Against Corruption in Azerbaijan.

Moreover, the fight against corruption is continuously conducted at an official level in Azerbaijan, a National Strategy for increasing transparency and combating corruption for 2007-2011 is implemented. The Commission on Combating Corruption under the President and Anti-Corruption Department under the Prosecutor General's Office are responsible for combating corruption. The United Nations Convention against Corruption also plays its role in Azerbaijan. The interaction of various internal agencies with the international agencies have yielded visible effects in combating corruption. However, following almost all requirements of all international organizations, a high rate of Corruption Perception Index (CPI) still remains in the country.

The intensification of government's struggle against the corruption was the consequence of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's call to conduct a serious struggle against any manifestations of corruption in the country. The President raised this issue on Jan. 14 at the enlarged meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of 2010. It was noted that in 2010 and in general over the period of independence, Azerbaijan achieved significant successes, rapid development, significant progress in foreign policy and economics. At the same time, the President stated that there are manifestations in the domestic policy, which prevent the development of entrepreneurship - illegal inspections of objects of entrepreneurship, corruption and bribery, negatively affecting the business image of the country.

After this meeting, in accordance with the instructions of the President, a number of activities were conducted, including meetings of the Commission against Corruption, boards of ministries, committees and other agencies, as well as meetings in the Cabinet and the relevant agencies in order to improve the activities of organizations that conduct inspections in this regard. Holding such meetings still continues. Numerous dismissals, prosecutions, disciplinary actions against incompetent employees of public service tell that Azerbaijan conducts a serious struggle against bribery, which does not take a fleeting nature.

The main goal of combating corruption in Azerbaijan is to eliminate negative cases that hinder the development of the country, eliminate the problems that bring harms to internal and external image of the country, the factors that cause dissatisfaction of the population and impede business activity.

Azerbaijan is currently conducting a policy of modernization to bring the country to the level of developed countries in all respects - in terms of both political and economic reforms. Often the list of CPI ratings is led by countries with developed economies (the lower level of corruption, the higher position of country in the rating), while the developing countries close it. The periodic reports of Transparency International and European experts say that in the advanced industrial countries, about 1-2 percent of citizens resolve their problems through bribery, in Russia - 20 percent, in African countries - 50-60 percent.

Despite that the number of developed countries in the world is not much, Azerbaijan has all opportunities to enter their number on all criteria. Economic success alone is not enough. It is necessary that all spheres of life in the country would be measured by the highest standards. Social welfare, infrastructure projects, promoting the principles of social justice, reforms and making fair decisions in the judicial system, ensuring transparency in the executive branch, the maximum transparency throughout the financial system, social control, promotion of democracy - that is, developed countries are developed thanks to the success reached in these areas. Corruption remains a barrier to achieving much-needed success.

Continuing the anti-corruption strategy in the country, it is necessary not to forget about the information provision of citizens, that is, it's often not sufficiently communicated to all layers of the population that is especially important. Otherwise realized measures against corruption may be not enough. After all, corruption and bribery have deeply penetrated in the public consciousness and economic relations of society regardless of the level of the country.

Citizens should be clearly aware of their rights and responsibilities, what violations should be a cause for the judicial procedure. Corruption is observed in almost all areas of public activity in all places in which citizens come together every day, including health, education, social aid, housing and operational areas, judicial and legal institutions. It is true that in some departments there are more problems, in others - less. And raising the awareness of citizens, the population will be confident in their behavior.