Under the framework of the EU financed Twinning project “Support the Jordanian Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission in the Fields of Integrity and Corruption Prevention”, official meetings were organized between the project’s stakeholders with different governmental and law enforcement entities and international organizations in Austria and Lithuania which are in charge of anti-corruption activities to familiarize with the main achievements, challenges and best practices with regard to the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, in addition to discussing new prospects for future collaboration between the Jordanian Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (JIACC), Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania (STT), and a selected national and international organizations in Austria.
The Jordan delegation led by the JIACC Chairman, Muhannad Hijazi, Board Member and National Project Leader to the EU Twinning Project, Sami Salaita, and the Director of International Cooperation Directorate and RTA’s counterpart, Kholoud Aloran, participated in meetings with regard to National Anti-Corruption Strategy and related Action Plan of Austria, as well as the status, functions, activities and internal organization between the Federal Bureau for Anti-Corruption, the Central Public Prosecutor's office for prosecuting white-collar crime and corruption and the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA). An exchange of views on corruption prevention issues with the former Dean of IACA and international counselor completed the visit in Austria.
Official meetings were also held in Lithuania to familiarize with the strategic approach to detecting, preventing and combating corruption in Lithuania. The main achievements, challenges and best practices related to the national integrity and nti-corruption system were discussed between the JIACC and the national law enforcement and national institutions, including the STT, Prosecutor General's Office, the Financial Crime Investigation Service.
During the meeting, JIACC and STT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further expand their partnership and cooperation in the area of Preventing and Combating Corruption. The signing ceremony was attended by the JIACC delegation and STT Director, Žydrūnas Bartkus, First Deputy Director of the STT and EU Twinning Project Leader, Jovitas Raškevičius, and Deputy Director of STT, Egidijus Radzevičius.
STT Director, Žydrūnas Bartkus inaugurated the meeting and added “This meeting is another milestone in strengthening cooperation between Jordanian and Lithuanian authorities in the area of integrity and anti-corruption. I am sure that Lithuanian experience in its strategic approach to corruption prevention, human resources management, the importance of communication will provide further impetus to developing National Integrity Strategy in Jordan. At the same time, the signed memorandum will pave way for our fruitful cooperation also beyond project implementation period”.
From his side, JIACC Chairman, Muhannad Hijazi added “JIACC highly appreciates the role of STT in enhancing the capacities of our specialists in the field of integrity and corruption prevention under the framework of the EU Twinning project. The exchange of knowledge and best practices not only support in enhancing our expert’s skills, but also supporting the national entities of Jordan in the process of revising the National Integrity Standards and assessing and managing corruption risks in the public sector. This MOU reflects excellent mutual relations between JIACC and STT, and we stand ready to continue our joint support in the areas of corruption prevention and investigation”.
The MOU aims to identify areas of cooperation and coordination between the two parties in the fields of preventing and combating corruption in accordance with the principles and objectives set out in the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
The EU Twinning Project is financed by the European Union for a total amount of €1,5 million and aims to support national institutional efforts in Jordan to strengthen Integrity and Corruption Prevention. It is implemented by the lead MS partner, Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania (STT), and the junior MS partner Austrian Agency for European Integration and Economic Development (AEI) in cooperation with the Jordanian Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (JIACC).
