Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan ranked 143rd among 183 nations in Transparency International’s annual report on corruption levels, scoring 2.4 out of 10 points.

In last year’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Azerbaijan was rated 134th among 178 nations. However, in the 2010 report the South Caucasus republic advanced nine points in comparison with the previous rankings, scoring 2.4 points.

According to CPI, Georgia, ranked 64th, is the least corrupt in the South Caucasus region, while Armenia was rated 129th.

For several consecutive years, Azerbaijan has ranked as the region’s most corrupt country in TI reports. Among neighboring countries, Azerbaijan surpassed only Turkmenistan in this year’s rankings. Russia was also rated 143rd, though its standing improved from last year’s 154th ranking.

The Azerbaijani government early this year pledged tough action against corruption. Shortly after the anti-corruption campaign was launched, not only officials but also public organizations pointed out a relative reduction in corruption levels in the country. But a few months thereafter, critics claimed that bribery has increased anew, reaching the previous level.

Vasif Movsumov, Executive Director of Azerbaijan’s Foundation for Combat against Corruption, said the country was wrongfully ranked below the economically underdeveloped nations. He said that if the efforts made this year to fight corrupt practices had been reflected in the TI report, Azerbaijan would have received a higher ranking.

Rena Safaraliyeva, Executive Director of Transparency Azerbaijan, noted that the TI report covered the year 2010, during which no significant changes occurred in the anti-corruption fight. "The fight against corruption has taken place mainly since January 2011."

Safaraliyeva expressed confidence that due to the anti-graft efforts made this year, Azerbaijan will be upgraded by a few points in TI’s 2012 report.

Somalia ranked most corrupt
New Zealand topped the TI rankings this year. It is followed by Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Singapore, and Norway.

Somalia was rated as the most corrupt in the report. The countries that are also in the bottom of the rankings include Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and North Korea.

Other notable countries include the United States in 24th place, Turkey in 61st, China in 75th, and Iran in 120th.

TI noted that corruption is widespread in many countries of the world, comparing it to cholera. The group warned that public protests that have recently occurred worldwide mostly flare up due to corrupt practices and economic volatility. It added that protesters express distrust in leaders and government agencies’ transparent work and accountability.