Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat and the Albanian High Inspectorate for Declaration and Audit of Assets (HIDAA) co-organized on May 25 – 28, 2008, in Tirana, Albania, a twinning type activity between the up-mentioned High Inspectorate and the newly established National Integrity Agency (NIA) in Romania. RAI Secretariat supported the funding for covering the traveling and accommodation costs of NIA representatives.

The Romanian delegation included Mr. Alexandru Catalin Macovei – President of the Agency, Mr. Ilie Ene – General Director and the Integrity Inspectors – Ms. Ana – Luisa Badiu, Ms. Ioana Barabas – Pricop and Mr. Silviu Soroceanu. They were warmly welcome by Mrs. Fatmira Laska – HIDAA General Inspector and the whole team of the Inspectorate.

The main goal of this activity was to provide initial support for NIA, to allow the Romanian representatives to gain from the experience and the knowledge of their Albanian colleagues and to establish the basis for future partnership between the two homologue bodies.

The beginning of the twinning was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between HIDAA and NIA, thus drawing the route for the future exchange of ideas, knowledge and best practices, as well as setting a certain frames for co-operation in the field of declaration and audit of assets and in the fight against corruption in general.

During the days of the event the scope of HIDAA activities was fully introduced to the Romanian delegation. The random selection for persons to pass a full audit was presented in the presence of local media representatives. As a part of the presentation of the HIDAA organization and functioning, NIA inspectors visited all the premises of the Inspectorate. Lecturers from HIDAA staff delivered presentations on the main topics related to their daily work including:

• Status, powers, legal and organizational framework of HIDAA;
•  Declaration of assets and private interests – types and forms of declarations, categories of declarants;
• Case studies on prevention of conflict of interest and incompatibilities;
• Auditing process – procedures and types of audit;
• Administrative and criminal procedures;
• Sanctions – administrative, criminal and disciplinary ones;
• Cooperation and exchange of information with other bodies;
• Training capacities, assistance and support to the public institutions and officials.

It is envisaged this twinning type activity to have a second leg in Bucharest, when the Albanian side will make a return visit to NIA.

On behalf of RAI Secretariat the event was attended by Mr. Edmond Dunga – Head of the Office and Mr. Stanislav Aleksandrov – Anti-corruption Expert.

More information: Agenda

Presentations:

– Administrative and Criminal Procedures
– Administrative Inspection, Case Studies
– Auditing Process
– Cases of Preventing Conflicts of Interest and Incompatibility
– Declaration of Private Interests
– Institutional Capacities of HIDAA
– Inter-Institutional and Public Collaboration
– Organization, Powers of HIDAA
– Relations, Assistance and Support to Responsible Authorities
– Sanctions
– Training Capacities, Assistance and Support for the Public Institutions and Public Officials

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