Vu Tien Chien, Head of the Office of the Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption (OSCAC) affirmed this at an international symposium in Hanoi on June 23 to lay down criteria for evaluating corruption and fighting against the scourge.

Chien remarked the country’s declining position in the Transparency International’s corruption rating in three consecutive years from 2007, describing it an initial outcome the country has achieved in its fight against corruption, contributing practically to minimizing economic slowdown, maintaining political stability and promoting socio-economic development.

Between 2007 and now, relevant Vietnamese agencies have initiated legal proceedings against 1,063 corrupt cases and brought 1,070 other cases to court with 2,506 defendants involved.

OSCAC proposed that corruption and the fight against the menace should be evaluated on the grounds of five criteria, including the outcomes of public and press surveys, the results of the implementation of socio-economic development tasks, political stability and social order, and assessments by international organisations.

A representative from the Transparency International said international surveys are the most reliable tool to rate corruption situation in a single country.

Meanwhile, an official from the Republic of Korea Anti-Corruption Agency noted that the cause of corruption can only be identified when it is done in a roadmap with systematic and comprehensive approaches so corruption can be controlled effectively.