Based on the success of the PACO Moldova anti-corruption project in 2005, an agreement for a follow-up project was signed in July 2006 between the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The MOLICO project started in August 2006. It will have a duration of three years and a budget of Euro 3.5 million and is aimed at the following objectives:

• to ensure the implementation of Moldova’s anti-corruption strategy on the basis of annual action plans

• to strengthen the anti-money laundering/counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) system of Moldova in accordance with international standards and good practices as well as Moneyval recommendations

The Centre for Combating Corruption and Economic Crime (CCCEC) of Moldova is the main counterpart institution in Moldova.

Based on the success of the PACO Moldova anti-corruption project in 2005, an agreement for a follow-up project was signed in July 2006 between the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The MOLICO project started in August 2006. It will have a duration of three years and a budget of Euro 3.5 million and is aimed at the following objectives:

• to ensure the implementation of Moldova’s anti-corruption strategy on the basis of annual action plans.
• to strengthen the anti-money laundering/counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) system of Moldova in accordance with international standards and good practices as well as Moneyval recommendations.

Overall objective

To contribute to the prevention and control of corruption, money laundering and the financing of terrorism so that they no longer undermine the democracy, the rule of law, economic and social development and the confidence of the public in State institutions in Moldova.The Centre for Combating Corruption and Economic Crime (CCCEC) of Moldova is the main counterpart institution in Moldova. MOLICO project objectives              

Project objective 1

To ensure the implementation of Moldova’s anti-corruption strategy on the basis of annual action plans.

Output 1.1

To ensure the efficient monitoring, coordination and management of the anti-corruption strategy and the formulation of annual action plans. Close follow-up of elaboration of the anti-corruption strategy and action plan for 2007. Providing advise and comments. December 2006

Output 1.2

To improve legislation to effect the prevention and control of corruption as foreseen in the anti-corruption strategy and action plans, and in accordance with GRECO recommendations and European and United Nations’ standards.Establish a range of legal acts to be submitted for the expertise. Identify short term experts.January-March 2007

Output 1.3

To strengthen the capacity of anti-corruption prosecutors to supervise, manage and prosecute corruption related offences.Tender for equipment of anti-corruption prosecutor’s office. January-February 2007

Output 1.4

To improve cooperation between law enforcement and criminal justice bodies through joint training in investigation, prosecution and adjudication of corruption offences, as well as in the field of international cooperation.Needs assessment for training activities available upon the activities under Output 1.6.: “risk assessment”. Elaborate curricula. Identify short term experts for training. Fix concrete calendar of training activities.

Output 1.5

To strengthen the capacity of the CCCEC to analyse corruption related phenomena and trends, as well as to design and implement measures to detect and prevent corruptionTender for translation equipment for the training room of the CCCEC. Tender for technical equipment of the prevention department of the CCCEC January-February 2007. Elaboration of methodology of public surveys on perception of corruption phenomena February 2007. First public survey March 2007.

Output 1.6

To develop and implement prevention procedures and reinforce internal controls within the judiciary, the prosecution service, the police, the CCCEC and other bodies at risk.Training on methodology of “risk assessment” for:Judiciary: January-March 2007Other institutions at risk: March-July 2007

Output 1.7

To ensure the implementation of the law on the financing of political parties. Joint mission with “Venice Commission” organised in early March 2007 aiming at meeting with main political forces and authorities responsible for the implementation of the law.

Output 1.8

To reduce corruption and instances of conflicts of interest within the political process.Timeframe of activities depends on the implementation of activities under Output 1.7.

Output 1.9

To increase the capacity of local government to identify and prevent corruption and to raise ethical standards in public life. Support the drafting of a short and structured National Handbook on ethics in local government, based the European Public Ethics Handbook, and translation of other relevant documents into Moldovan December 2006 Organise the first meeting of the Steering Group to revise the National Handbook and to revise and adopt the National Score Card for the benchmarking exercise  January-February 2007.Organise the first round of self-assessments and preparation of the National Benchmark on public ethics at local level. March-April 2007.

Output 1.10

To promote the active role of civil society and media against corruption and to reduce the tolerance of the public to corruption.Tender for TV clip on corruption in January-February 2007. Elaboration of anti-corruption awareness strategy in close cooperation with analytical and prevention department of the CCCEC and Investigative Journalism Centre January-February 2007.

Project objective 2

To strengthen the anti-money laundering/counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) system of Moldova in accordance with international standards and good practice and in compliance with Moneyval recommendations.

Output 2.1

To bring relevant legislation into line with international standards and best practice.Review of Moldovan legislation and comparison with European / International standards underway.  Working party being to complete re-drafting of new law on countering terrorist financing prior to Egmont Group meeting in Feb. 07.  January 2007

Output 2.2

To establish the areas of responsibility, status and procedures of the FIU in compliance with Moneyval recommendations and international best practice.Review of responsibilities, status and procedures underway.  Report from current Moneyval evaluation awaited. February 2007

Output 2.3

To review, evaluate and improve the systems of collecting, processing, analysing, protecting and exchanging information by the FIU relating to suspect transactions, including the procurement of equipment and the provision of appropriate training. IT needs assessment in hand – software specifications being researched – procedural and systems review / evaluation currently in hand.  February 2007

Output 2.4

To improve liaison and co-operation procedures of the FIU to liaise in respect of their dealings with foreign FIUs in accordance with the Egmont Group standards. Study / conference visit to Kiev 11th – 13th Dec 06 to examine Ukrainian procedures and exchange information and experience to bring the CCCEC FIU up to Egmont Group standards.  March 2007

Output 2.5

To adopt the national AML/CTF strategy, establishing effective mechanisms  to ensure co-operation between the FIU and law enforcement bodies, the criminal justice system and regulatory authorities. Mechanisms and levels of co-operation currently being evaluated.  Action plan to be formulated to establish efficient inter-agency co-operation system.  February 2007

http://www.coe.int/moli