The PACO Impact project - aimed at supporting the implementation of anti-corruption plans in south-eastern Europe - ended with the closing conference in the Council of Europe, Strasbourg on 10-11 July 2006.

More than 60 participants from countries of the region and from international organisations noted the progress made since the start of the project in March 2004. This includes the adoption of anti-corruption strategies in all seven project areas, that is, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo and “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”. Implementation of these plans is well underway and innovative measures are being carried out, ranging from improved case management for prosecutors, integrity plans and public awareness activities, provision of equipment for specialised anti-corruption services and many others. 

Representatives from the region underlined in particular the progress made in the cooperation between their countries in anti-corruption matters, and their desire to further strengthen such cooperation. Furthermore, these countries are now fully participating in European anti-corruption mechanisms, in particular the Group of States against Corruption, GRECO. The valuable contribution of PACO Impact to the follow up to GRECO recommendations, to the Stabilisation and Association Process of the European Union and accession to the United Nations Convention against Corruption by countries of south-eastern Europe was highlighted.