FROM 0 (LOWEST) TO 5 (HIGHEST)
Countries
The study analyses the legal frameworks of selected Western Balkan countries.
Albania
Albania is a developing economy, ranked 69th in Human Development Index. Its defence and security orientation is linked to EU and NATO integrations. Albania became a member of NATO in 2009. In 2014, Albania was awarded candidate status by the EU. According to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, Albania is ranked 110th out of 180 countries.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) is a developing economy, ranked 73rd in Human Development Index. Its defence and security orientation is linked to EU and NATO integrations. BiH is a potential candidate for the EU membership since 2016 and it is part of the NATO Membership Action Plan since 2018. According to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, Bosnia and Herzegovina is ranked 110th out of 180 countries.
Kosovo
On February 17, 2008, Kosovo formally declared independence from Serbia. Its defence and security orientation is linked to EU and NATO integrations. Kosovo signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, which entered into force in 2016. NATO has been leading a peace-support operation in Kosovo since June 1999. According to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, Kosovo is ranked 87th out of 180 countries.
Montenegro
Montenegro is a developing economy, ranked at the 48th in Human Development Index. Its defence and security orientation is linked to EU and NATO integrations. Montenegro became a member of NATO in 2017. In 2012, Montenegro started accession negotiations with the EU and is currently a frontrunner for accession. According to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, Montenegro is ranked 64th out of 180 countries.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia is a developing economy, ranked at the 82nd in Human Development Index. Its defence and security orientation is linked to EU and NATO integrations. North Macedonia became NATO member in 2020. Since 200, North Macedonia has the status of candidate for EU membership. According to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, Montenegro is ranked 87th out of 180 countries.
Areas
The study analyses the legal frameworks in six integrity-related areas.
Human Resource Management
The area of Human Resources Management includes key HRM functions, such as: recruitment and selection of mid and lower level civil servants and senior managerial positions; professional development; salary system and termination of employment and demotion.
Conflict of Interest
Conflict of interest referes to a conflict between an official´s public duty and private interests in those situations when the discharge of public function negatively influences or could influence the discharge of the public function. Guidelines on prevention and resolution of CoI are required in order to enable discharging of public functions in the public interest.
Free Access to Information
Freedom of Information is the right to access information held by public bodies. It reflects the fundamental premise that all information held by governments and governmental institutions is in principle public and may only be withheld if there are legitimate reasons for not disclosing it, such as typically privacy and security.
Public procurement
The area of public procurement includes international standards in conducting public procurement: transparency at all stages, integrity of public procurement, mangement of the process, oversight and control and institutional set-up.
Whistleblowers' protection
Whistleblowing is reporting by employees or former employees or illegal, irregular, dangerous or unethical practices by employers. The establishment of an adequate level of whistle-blowers’ protection is one of the key elements for the improvement of integrity in the public sector.
Improper superior orders
The area of Improper Superior Orders covers key issues pertaining to accountability of civil servants for following improper superior orders, obligations in case when they believe that a received superior order is improper, and effective complaint mechanisms available to civil servants when their rights are threatened or denied as a result of refusal to comply with an improper superior order.