AMBASSADOR: CRO GOVT MAKES PROGRESS IN FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Hina) - The Croatian government has made significant progress in the fight against corruption and promotion of the rule of law, Croatia's Ambassador to the United States, Ivan Grdesic, said at a round table at the prestigious Georgetown University. Grdesic was speaking at the so-called Balkan Forum, which was organised by the Search for Common Ground Project, the Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs and the Centre for Euro-Asian, Russian and Eastern-European Studies at Georgetown University. The discussion focused on the dimensions and consequences of corruption and so-called grey economy in South-East Europe. "That is a huge task for which the Croatian government had little time and few resources and the public had high expectations regarding the prevention of corruption," Grdesic said. "However, over the past two years the government has managed to change the situation, strengthen the judiciary and increase public awareness in an effort to strengthen democracy in Croatia," he said. The Balkan Forum is a panel discussion which every month gathers scientists, politicians, diplomats, military officials and representatives of non-government associations, who discuss political, economic and other issues in South-East Europe. (hina) rml