Report 2010

ANNUAL REPORT 2010

THE HIGH INSPECTORATE OF DECLARATION AND AUDIT OF ASSETS

The High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets (HIDAA) in the realization of the purpose of his legal control of private interests of elected officials and certain public employees, and in view to identifying, avoiding and preventing conflicts of interest in exercising public duties, in 2010 has done its utmost to fulfill all duties and responsibilities.

• VISION

HIDAA acts in fulfillment of legal obligations set out in two basic laws governing the operation of this institution, Law Nr.9049, date 10.04.2003 “On the declaration and audit of assets, financial obligations of elected officials and certain public officials” and Law 9367, dated 07.04.2005 “On prevention of conflicts of interest in the exercise of public functions”, as well as strictly adhering to the recommendations of the Assembly of the Republic, presented the Resolution “On evaluating the work of High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets for the year 2009. “

Also, in compliance with legal responsibilities, HIDAA is also referred to European Commission recommendations, which on the Progress Report for Albania, published in November 2010, said: “HIDAA has started to produce satisfactory results. However, it is imperative to strengthen the law and cooperation with the Prosecution Office for a more thorough investigation of the assets declared. “

• METHODOLOGY

During many professional activities, the High Inspectorate during 2010 has had as top priority the prevention and avoidance of conflicts of interest in public administration. In this regard, HIDAA is committed to strengthening institutional capacity, conducting training seminars with officials from central and local administration in the main districts of Albania. In cooperation with international organizations, USAID, the OSCE, the High Inspectorate has trained on the identification, prevention and avoidance of conflicts of interest over 600 officers, most of whom are employees of some central ministries.

 High Inspectorate has shown willingness at any time to provide legal assistance to various officials for the prevention and avoidance of conflicts of interest in the exercise of public functions.

Treatment and prevention of conflicts of interest

Commitment in this regard has given positive results, in order to prevent conflicts of interest, but the fulfillment of legal obligations, provided in the law on conflict of interest, for 2010, are interpretations for treatment and solution of concrete cases, as follows:

 - 38 cases followed for interpretation and solution of the officials, institutions, etc. Responsible Authorities institutions.

 - 47 cases of alleged conflict of interest presented by the various institutions of public administration (mainly in tax and customs administration), treated and performed in collaboration with the High Inspectorate.

 - 110 cases treated with the Responsible Authorities of central institutions of local government (municipality, the municipality, county) during periodic meetings held in them, in the time frame to prevent cases of conflict of interest.

TREATED CASES AND PREVENTED CASES

OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 Besides the preventive role, the High Inspectorate has exercised his powers and sanctions, which occasionally has applied administrative measures for public officials caught in a conflict of interest.

If we refer to a statistical performance, we will have:

 - February-June, settled administrative measures “fine” for 18 officials, who, after the verification and collection of relevant documentation, have not resulted in avoiding conflicts of interest within the time specified and according to legal provisions. Some of these officials against whom administrative action was taken, are employees of tax and customs administration and local government leaders.

 - In July, is determined and set administrative measure “fine” for the two local government officials (namely Saranda Municipality) who resigned from public functions, as well as simultaneously exercise the profession of “auditor” for some companies, a part of which had received public funds in tendering procedures developed at their institution.

 - During this same period, there was a case of 1 officer and a manager of a state enterprise in the same administrative unit, which once resulted in a conflict of interest, has made ​​resolution of this conflict, functional incompatibility, by withdrawing from active practice of the profession of private free.

 - A member elected deputy, was fined with 300,000 All fine, because of conflict of interest at the time of exercise of office as Minister, having appointed as a member of a supervisory board someone under his institution, a person who a few days before being appointed in the administration, had administered the wife’s official assets, under the quality of the “trusted person”.

 - Mayor of the Vajgurore Bridge was fined in the amount 200,000 leks, because he participated in the examination and discussion of building permit application for a Construction Company which had his brother as a partner in shares.

ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES “fines” for conflict of interest

Data for 2010 

 Role of Responsible Authorities

Training of officials and responsible authorities has significantly increased the capacity of the institutions themselves to identify and prevent conflicts of interest. Only the General Tax Directorate, in close cooperation with the High Inspectorate has identified, prevented and resolved 120 cases of conflict of interest in the administration of this institution.

Also, cases of conflict of interests have been solved by these institutions:

- 1 case by the Public Procurement Agency

- 2 cases, the Municipality of Tirana

- 1 case the Bank of Albania

– 1 case The Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

- 10 cases of alleged conflict of interest in the Ministry of Defense are still in the joint review with the High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets

Meanwhile, many other institutions of central and local level have increased their sensitivity in terms of avoiding conflicts of interest. However, the number of cases referred for investigation and solution of conflicts of interest is still far from the expectations of public opinion. High Inspectorate is the central authority responsible for preventing conflicts of interest, in addition has a controlling and punitive role, and the institution designs and strategies for law enforcement. However, it is the duty of public institutions themselves to take measures to avoid conflicts between public office and private interests of officials who are part of their staffing.

High Inspectorate, which is currently controlling authorities in charge, including the structure that coordinates activities and collaborates with the HIDAA to about 90 central institutions, concludes that the difficulty is in applying in practice the requirements of the law.

To facilitate the implementation of tasks related to preventing conflicts of interest, the High Inspectorate has asked during 2010, inter alia, amending the 9367 law date; 7.4.2005, which consist of strengthening these structures; annual evaluation of their work, and if possible move from the current placement to a new one, they should obtain the opinion of the High Inspectorate.

Through these amendments regarding the role of the Responsible Authority, is intended to further extend the commitment to preventing conflicts of interest and corruption in public administration. Because these structures are a very important link in the chain of avoiding conflicts of interest, HIDAA is convinced that the more rapid adoption of these amendments will significantly increase these positive results.

Technical Support Officers

HIDAA staff has been engaged in providing technical assistance and legal ways of completing the declaration of private interests, as well as awareness of the subjects to respect the legal deadlines for submission of this official document. Consequently, in 2010 there has been a decline to about 70%, compared with a year ago, the officials, who in the High Inspectorate are recalled due to technical errors in filling in the form of property.

Also, the number of officials fined for the delay in submission of the declaration of private interests has been decreasing. More specifically, during the reporting year, HIDAA has applied the measure “fine” to 46 entities for violations of legal limits.

Control Mechanisms

The Assembly of Albania, on the Resolution on the High Inspectorate for the year 2010, requires “enforcement of a closer administrative investigation instrument, especially in sectors of public life, where the phenomenon of corruption is more widespread and public confidence lower.” Pursuant to this recommendation, the High Inspectorate has added significantly to the field investigations on the application of various assets of officials, as one of the measures for discovery of assets of officials, for which there is reasonable suspicion to arise as a result of abusive and corrupt actions. This measure is one of the most important one being applied by the High Inspectorate and based also on collected information is providing concrete results.

Also, worth mentioning is that the form of “case-to-case” regarding conflict of interests, was drafted a year ago by the High Inspectorate in cooperation with the Public Procurement Agency, and is now standard document for each procurement procedure has significantly reduced in cases of abuse among the public officials. In the detailed format of the statement are clearly written the limitations of private interests of certain categories of officials, who because of their public function, are allowed to benefit directly or indirectly from public funds. By completing this declaration, the representative of the economic operator declares under its responsibility, that any official specified in Chapter III, Section II of the Law 9367, dated 7.4.2009, owns private interests directly or indirectly with legal entity he represents. Application of declaration of conflict of interest to economic operators in the standard documents is an important instrument for preventing conflicts of interest in public procurement.

Internal Collaboration

High Inspectorate, to strengthen the preventive role against corruption, continues close cooperation with other public institutions including nongovernmental organizations. More specifically, during 2010, the institution has signed cooperation agreements with:

    – With the Office of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection, to respect international principles of conservation officials ethics

   – With the High Council of Justice was once again reaffirmed the determination to deepen the investigation and initiating a long series of two-way control over the private  interests of judges.

   – Department of Internal Anti-Corruption Council of Ministers, to exchange data on cases of alleged corruption.

During 2010, the High Inspectorate has focused on concrete and rigorous cooperation with the Common Unit Task Force against corruption under the Prosecutor General and other institutions as the National Registration Center, National Licensing Center, the Public Procurement Agency, etc. To create a more detailed data source on the assets of officials, the High Inspectorate has included among the cooperating institutions and some non-bank financial institutions, which have shown utmost correctness of any requests made ​​by our institution.

High Inspectorate, through financial support of international partners, especially USAID and the OSCE Presence in Albania, has been very active in drafting and publication of awareness materials, in order to direct the preventive role. Thus the High Inspectorate has finalized:

  - Manual No. 4 on the administrative investigation and treatment of cases of criminal offenses in the declaration of private interests

  – Legal Commentary No. 5

Despite the initiatives taken by the High Inspectorate regarding the improvement of investigative techniques, in 2010, the institutional practice found that the subjects declaring in periodic statements, incomes were reflected in informal ways, through related persons, such as significantly gifts values ​​, borrowing or lending in informal ways, etc…

Verification of the authenticity of the source of creation of such income is a necessity of declaring the administration persons connected with the officer. The application of this legal obligation is fulfilled by the institution and this is demonstrated in the increasing number of statements on request, compared with last year. However, this mechanism can not be applied in full by the High Inspectorate, as, there are persons related to the official who refuses to declare their private interests, and there is no sanction in the Criminal Code to foresee these cases. This has led in some cases the investigation, especially in those that had a high sensitivity in public opinion, the High Inspectorate has failed to give full conclusions. For these cases of refusal, HIDAA has applied only legal remedy available to it, putting in 3 cases an administrative measure of “fine”, which is of little value and easily affordable by persons associated with subjects who refuse to declare their private interests at HIDAA.

To improve the investigation in this direction, but also for other problems that are found during the investigation, the High Inspectorate has introduced the proposal to amend the two laws on which it works, as well as Article 257 / a of the Code Criminal Code, defining criminal sanctions on persons affiliated with the official refusing to declare assets.

Strengthen investigative capacity

Assembly of Albania in the 2010 recommendations of the High Inspectorate, required; “proposing the necessary changes in legislation to regulate the legal consequences caused by the conflict of interest situations and to punish the officials or persons connected with them, responsible for conflict of interest.”

Referring to this request, and given the difficulties encountered during the practical implementation of two laws on which the institution operates, has submitted the relevant draft amendments, in order to strengthen the role of preventive and punitive control of the institution. Through the amendments, is aimed precision in each specific law obligations, responsibilities, means of legal procedures for their implementation in practice and sanctions for certain violations, thus avoiding excessive referrals and making both more comprehensive laws, and effective and more accurate view of legislative framework.

Laws preventing conflicts of interest

Draft law changes introduced in Law No.9367, date 7.4.2005 “On prevention of conflicts of interest during the exercise of public functions” is changed, aimed at strengthening the effectiveness in avoiding conflicts of interest in public administration, which emphasizes:

 - Forecast legal instruments for fighting the act issued as conflict of interest and legitimacy of the High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets as a party to the proceedings.

 - Application of punitive measures in cases of conflict of interest for specific cases and decisions, when private interests of officials affect the performance of public duties.

 - Building capacity and increasing the role of the authorities responsible for preventing conflict of interest in the exercise of public functions.

 - Strengthening of restrictions and banning the private interests of elected local government

Practical implementation of the law on conflict of interest has faced difficulties in striking cases of conflict of interest. The findings and punishment of officials who have acted in conflict of interest, is not at the same rate following the investigation of the act. Public institutions, which have the responsibility to act to get the shock of a conflict of interest generally, do not perform this legal duty by not giving the expected results in the fight against corruption.

The High Inspectorate has concluded that it should be put in motion the legal instruments that act to regulate the legal consequences of acts taken in a conflict of interest when institutions do not provide solutions. This phenomenon found in most cases, makes it an imperative need for not only individual / parties affected by an act of conflict of interest, but others to be more active in reporting specific cases,\ and require the intervention of HIDAA, as the central authority responsible for law enforcement to prevent conflicts of interest.

In order to increase the effectiveness of the controls exercised in cases of conflict of interest and the regulation of the legal consequences of acts taken in a conflict of interest, the High Inspectorate should be legitimized as a party to launch any trial in order finalization of an administrative proceeding to start his own initiative or at the request of interested parties, helping to regulate the legal consequences of an act taken / issued in terms of conflict of interest.

Proposal for amendments to the law has provided legitimacy as a party to the High Inspectorate for the regulation of the legal consequences of acts adopted under a conflict of interest; thereby realize a higher performance in full prevention of conflict interests.

Law declaration and control of assets

Draft amendments presented by the High Inspectorate, based on the law nr.9049, dated 10.04.2003 “On the declaration and audit of assets, financial obligations of elected officials and certain public institutions” require change, aimed at strengthening the legal mechanisms and intensify the legal procedures in terms of verification of the private interests of officials who have the obligation to declare and related persons, stating:

 - Inclusions in the declaration of directors declaring entities of the health sector, education or other important institutions at the regional level, who perform public functions in areas that have a direct impact on the public and high-risk for involvement in situations of corruption.

- Also intended to be included under the subject to the “Declaration on the request” the “cohabitant” within the meaning of sections 163 and 164 of the Family Code, the circle of persons who are required to declare private interests, at the request of the Inspector-General when the resulting persons associated with the entity has the obligation to declare.

- Determination of the scheme on how will be carried full control over entities that have the obligation to declare

- Setting before legal responsibilities the family liability of officials for cases of “refusal to declare” or “hidden assets”

- Necessary proposals required to guarantee independence and institutional integrity.

- Strengthening of administrative sanctions for violations of the declaration process and legal timing by declaring entities and related persons.

With the approval of Law 9367, dated 7.4.2005 the provisions on administrative violations of law nr.9049, dated 10.4.2003 was abolished and was included in Article 44 of Law 9367, dated 7.4.2005. This has created difficulties in its implementation in practice has led to excessive use of references that make the two laws are unclear and difficult in practical application. This draft law aims at bringing to the declaration of assets, provisions for violations of its sanctions, making it more comprehensive, clearer and avoiding references to its implementation in practice, both by officials and by the Inspectorate High.

CONTROL OF PRIVATE INTERESTS

Administration Statements

High Inspectorate, in 2010, has continued work on admission, registration and administration of statements declaring private interests of subjects.

Based on data recorded in the Prime Register, the total number of subjects (subjects in function, former declaring entities and related persons) who have declared private interests at the High Inspectorate since the beginning of the process by declaring in 2010 is 10,004 subjects, of which:

  – 4546 are subject to the function

  – 5458 subjects were ex-subjects

Only in 2010 at the High Inspectorate are administered, passing later stages of the controls a total of 5302 statements of private interests, divided according to type:

   - Periodic Statement / Annual (for declaring 2009) – 4030 declaration

  – Before taking Employment Declaration (2010) – 802 statements

   – After leaving the Employment  Declaration (2010) – 470 statements 

Prior controls

In accordance with applicable legal provisions, declarations filed at the High Inspectorate have gone further in the control phase, starting from the previous audit. In carrying out the preliminary screening in order to ascertain the material and formal errors, there is an identified problem and error reduction compared to the same period last year, especially for subjects who declare their private interests for the first time.

More specifically, in HIDAA are recalled to refill asset misstatement about 340 officers.

In the event when irregularities are noticed, formal legal steps have been preceded, by calling for a correction declaring subjects of these irregularities. It is worth mentioning that most subjects were present into declaring again by the offices of HIDAA and making appropriate corrections.

For subjects who were not present to correct their asset declaration mistakes, in every case it was sent a letter / notice from HIDAA to notify the appropriate official by advising him and his superior at the same time.Later it was continued with the establishment of administrative measure “fine” for those officials who have not respected the legal deadline by 15-days, to correct or supplement irregularities of further data.

These measures will continue to be undertaken on the following year, thus increasing the efficiency and institutional performance in every direction.

  The arithmetic and logistic control

The arithmetic and logical control for any statement filed in HIDAA by declaring entities, is crucial to verify the accuracy of the valuation of the assets declared, the accuracy of the financial sources declared and adequacy of coverage of the declared wealth of resources, and the existence of any conflict interests. From the statements of private interests filed in 2010, (Periodic and Annual 2009 and before 2010), 4320 statements have gone under an arithmetic and logical control until 31.12.2010 

Full Control

Full process control, as one of the most important processes of the High Inspectorate activity, is exercised pursuant to Article 17 and 18 of Law 9367, dated 07.04.2005 “On Prevention of Conflict of Interest in Exercising Public Functions “.

During the year 2010 have passed full control 475subjects declaring, of which:

Because of the function (Article 17 / 2)

Pursuant to Article 17, paragraph 2 of Law 9367, dated 07.04.2009 “On prevention of conflicts of interest in the exercise of public functions” full control was conducted for 185 subjects declaring.

It is worth mentioning that, in 2010, for the first time also were included in complete full control the highest officials of the Republic, starting from the President of the Republic, Prime Minister, ministers, MPs, members of the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court etc..

Selection by lottery (Article 17 / 3)

Pursuant to Article 17, paragraph 3, 190 subjects passed for complete control regarding declaring private interests, following the procedure of drawing lots for complete control of the declarations of private interests, of all categories of officials, a number of at least 4% of the total number of statements.

The random selection of statements was made ​​in the presence of ordinary citizens, media representatives, civil society, interest groups, etc., as result of a new determined procedure within a special regulation, approved in advance.

Problems by arithmetic and logical control (Article 17 / 4)

Pursuant to Article 17 / 4, 75 subjects declaring have passed full control, for those times when from the arithmetic and logical controls were identified discrepancies between the assets of officials and the source of their creation.

From legitimate sources, such as media, public, etc. (Article 17 / 5)

Based on the information and data obtained from legitimate sources, media, civil society and the public, which raised reasonable doubts about the veracity and accuracy of the data reflected in the declaration of officials, complete control was performed on 23 subjects declaring. High Inspectorate deals with seriously high priority every case of alleged corruption made public by the media.

As a person connected

In 2010, the High Inspectorate has given full control in 2 cases of “related persons” to the official declaring.

Administrative investigation

Based on Article 18 of Law no. 9367, date 07.05.2005, in 2010 have been completed the process of administrative investigation 9 subjects, a procedure that meets the more exhaustive and complete control.

The Administrative Investigation is conducted when the results from verification of the declaration has concluded that the sources does not cover or justify the assets of officials, or when a statement is made ​​by legitimate sources for the concealment of private interests.

Currently, the High Inspectorate has started an administrative investigation process for several other cases for which data were provided by the media, civil society, but also various citizens in the institution’s toll free number 0800-9999. Proceedings of the administrative investigation, according to relevant provisions, is a legal right of the Inspector General, applied whenever there is information from legitimate sources for corrupt actions by declaring entities At the conclusion of the audit process, during 2010, HIDAA has reported to be prosecuted 18 entities of different levels of central and local administration, charged under Article 257 / a of the Criminal Code,; “Refusal to make a declaration, non declaration, hiding or disclosure of fake assets of selected persons and public servants. “

 Cooperation with the justice authorities

Assembly of Albania, on the Resolution of the activity of HIDAA for 2010, requested from the institution the; “following with great force and determination by the prosecuting authorities for concrete prosecution of officials discovered in conflict of interest or hiding their asset”, also the “informing the publicly or directly the Assembly on cases where the responsible authorities, namely the General Prosecutor, the Supreme Council of Justice or the Ministry of Justice do neglect results or ignore them, in the pursuit and punishment of conflict of interest or to discover hidden assets discovered from them;

During 2010, the High Inspectorate again finds that the cases referred by the institution to justice criminal authorities are not finalized by the judiciary and not punished by sanction penalties.

Compared to 2009, there has been a growing awareness on the part of prosecutors handling criminal charges. However, again there are cases on which, in the discretion of the High Inspectorate, were dismissed by the Prosecution without compelling legal arguments.

Based on a written communication with the Prosecution, regarding 18 cases of criminal charges by the High Inspectorate during 2010, was presented this situation:

    - For 7 cases criminal charges have been sent for trial

    - For seven criminal charges criminal proceeding was terminated

    - For 4 other cases, investigations are still ongoing

From 8 charges submitted by HIDAA to be prosecuted as foreseen under Article 257/a of Criminal Code’s first paragraph,; “Rejection of declaration or non declaration of assets of persons elected or public officials”, 3 cases were sent for trial, while 5 cases were dismissed, despite being proven with documentary evidences by the High Inspectorate of the fact of non-delivery on time and without legal cause of the official document on “declaration of private interests.”

Of the 10 charges sent by HIDAA for the offense provided in Article 257 / a, the second paragraph of the Penal Code, “concealment or false declaration of assets of elected persons and public officials”, the four officers has gone to trial issue; for two officers the investigation was set off or were never started the criminal proceedings, although there are written documents administered by the HIDAA, which prove legal violations. While on the other four officials are yet continuing the investigation procedures.

On the other hand, the treatment of cases during trials remains a permanent problem as well as the criminal charges initiated by the High Inspectorate and the review of appeals cases of officials being punished for violating the law to prevent conflict of interests.

This situation negatively affects institutional performance, as well as the awareness of officials to respect the legal requirements.

This concern has been introduced to the High Council of Justice and through bilateral cooperation; we intend to fight the force of law for acts of corruption in public administration.

Furthermore, the problem of disciplinary measures public institutions remains an important issue, even after notifications by the High Inspectorate, regarding violations of the law of declaration of assets or preventing conflicts of interest by public officials.

In general, HIDAA finds that institutions do not meet the requirements associated with legal steps, as defined in:

1. 1. Article 5 / 1 of Law no. 9049, date 10.4.2003;

Refusal to make a declaration entails the loss of function and punishment in accordance with the Criminal Code. Inspector General, within 30 days, sends a motivated notice to the body responsible for dismissing the person who refuses to declare.

The responsible authority, within 30 days from receipt of notice is required to take measures for dismissing the employees who rejected the declaration.

2. 2. Article 15/bi, Law no. 9049; date 10.4.2003

High Inspectorate:

b) Notifies, on occasion, the President, Parliament, the High Council of Justice, Council of Ministers, Prime Ministers and heads of central institutions for the irregularities in the declaration of assets by employees under their jurisdiction.

3. 3. Article 45 / 1 of Law no. 9367, dt. 9367, dt. 7.4.2005 7.4.2005

1. 1. Any violation of the obligations stipulated in this law by officials constitutes a disciplinary violation, regardless of criminal or administrative responsibility. Disciplinary measures are applied in accordance with the laws that regulate labor relations and / or status of officials.

This incorrect approach reduces performance of public institutions in combating corruption and creates confidence in the officials that any violation of the law is not punished.

Institutional transparency

The Assembly of Albania, on the Resolution regarding the activity of the High Inspectorate for the year 2009, recommended for the following period “further strengthening of the promotion of public relations, through examples of awareness and education through operation of law, increase public confidence in the efficiency of its anti-corruption mechanisms “of.

Based on this directive, the High Inspectorate has paid attention to institutional transparency, aiming thereby establishing direct relations and to correct the various relationships with all involved actors of the Albanian society. Institutional transparency is achieved through various activities;

- It was organized for the second consecutive year activity “HIDAA, with open doors” which marks a high level of transparency. Part of this activity was the organization of the lottery for random selection of 4% of the officers who subsequently underwent full control, which this time was organized through electronic process. Selection of officers who passed in complete control was attended by the public, who was present at this event.

- Through the Program of Governmental Law, was made ​​possible the organization of three round tables with the media and civil society in the districts. Parts of these meetings, unlike last year were invited as well the local businesses.

- In cooperation with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the High Inspectorate in December 2010 organized the activity ; “HIDAA and the role of media in combating corruption”.

- During this meeting, the High Inspectorate launched his project for cooperation with the media in order to investigate the assets of estate officials, which was highly welcomed from participants to the meeting. The concrete realization of this project is now in its infancy. This activity is aimed at meeting by the HIDAA of another recommendation of the Assembly, “the further strengthening of cooperation and support to civil society, media and general public for information on cases of denunciation of violations of the law on declaration of private property interests, and for identifying cases of conflict of interests.”

- Over the past year, the High Inspectorate has been very active in the print and visual media, through interviews, press reports, by introducing in each case a high level of reliability and transparency.

- High Inspectorate is committed to raising awareness of subjects declaring to meet legal obligations through spots and other advertising media.

-  Institutional transparency is made ​​possible through the official site (www.hidaa.gov.al) in which the High Inspectorate has published any problem, any initiative undertaken or the results of various investigations completed by his staf

- For the reporting year, the High Inspectorate within the institutional transparency, and according the fulfillment of legal obligations, has delivered about 1500 copies of statements of private interests of different entities, in each case by observing the maximum time limits set out in legislation.

Over the years

STATISTICAL DATA 

 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

The High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets realized during the year 2010 an important milestone in the plane of international relations. In May 2010, the institution was first elected leader of the newly formed Network of Regional Anti-Corruption Agencies (RAI), a body composed of all the HIDAA counterpart institutions in Eastern Europe and with the support of the Council of Europe. Representatives of anti-corruption institutions of 12 member countries opted for the High Inspectorate Network as the leader of this international forum, to assess the institution’s ongoing commitment to preventing conflicts of interest. This is one of the main achievements of an Albanian institution among international homologues, and is the result of institutional determination to strengthen the principles of good governance in Bangladesh. Following the meetings of this body, the High Inspectorate, in January 2011, presented in Tirana a communication strategy between homologous structures in the Balkans and beyond, for real-time exchange of information on hidden assets or incurred in corrupt officials public in member countries.

High Inspectorate participated also in the annual meeting of the International Conference against Corruption, under the management agency of the United Nations, where institutional achievements were introduced in the fight against corruption.

For the third consecutive year, the High Inspectorate received positive ratings for the application of mechanisms to verify the assets of officials and role in strengthening the rule of law in Albania.

In December 2010, the High Inspectorate was one of the countries discussed at the conference “international war against the phenomenon of bribery and other issues associated with”, which was developed by the World Bank, Washington United States of America. HIDAA presented to participants from 120 countries worldwide its anti-corruption strategy, introducing institutional experience to date.

 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

The High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets, pursuant to the state budget of 2010, have revised necessary institutional needs, in compliance with the obligations arising from the application of organic laws. High Inspectorate in support of law nr.10025, dated 27.11.2008 and Directive No. 1, dated 21.01.2010, “On State Budget for 2010″ and in support of the revised budget, has allocated a fund budget of  LEK 86 million 980 thousand, which consists of:

  – Payroll Fund: 54 million lek

  – Social Insurance Fund: 400 million lek

  – Fund Operating expenses: 22 million 135 thousand LEK

  – Fund Investment: 4 million lek

  – Current transfers: 420 thousand

Based on General fund budget for the reporting period, the High Inspectorate has carried out budget value in 99.4%, to fund the planned annual purchases and services. Meanwhile, in 2010, in implementation of operational expenditure, the High Inspectorate is based on a more rational distribution of claims, which relate mainly to:

  – Verification and administrative investigation of private interests within and outside of the officials who have the obligation to declare, as one of the most important moments of the policies of HIDAA.

  – Conducting expertise in cases of immovable assets in all of the territory of the Republic of Albania, as a second important point, in view of the scope of organic laws.

For this year, 2.65 million incomes were realized, on which 64% of income came from fines as one important indicator of the intensification of the work of our institution and the role of punishment within the control of the declaration of assets and prevention conflict of interest. 

For next year we will implement the correct ratios of the planned budget for the HIDAA, aiming to maximize the effectiveness of expenditures in order to increase the investigative capacity and investigation of cases of abusive statements of private interests and prevent conflicts of interest’s officials exercising public functions

Thank you!

Annual Report of HIDAA activity for the year 2010.Download here.