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Dear ladies and gentlemen, 

Distinguished guests,

It is my great pleasure to say a few welcoming remarks on the occasion of this important event devoted to very relevant topic as anti-corruption policy.

I am pleased to see so many representatives of expert community and policy makers here in Vilnius  to exchange their ideas, good practises, best experience in the field.

I would like to thank all co – organisers of this event (OECD, Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, the Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship team, the Special Investigation Service (STT), the Chief Official Ethics Commission (VTEK) for fine cooperation in organizing this seminar.

I am pleased that 2011 Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship is also a part of this special event. The promotion of good governance and fight against corruption are important goals for the 2011 Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship and the OSCE in general. The OSCE and its field operations play important role in assisting the participating States to devise the strategies and implement anti-corruption policies. I just wish to draw attention to just one example of such a close cooperation between the Tajikistan Government of the OSCE mission in Dushanbe (I know that this successful anti-corruption and good governance activity of OSCE office in Tajikistan will be elaborated later on today).

Good governance and transparency are of key importance in defining the OSCE role in energy security dialogue, promotion of development of reliable, secure, efficient and sustainable energy sector in OSCE countries and in entire OSCE region.

The Anti-Corruption Policy and Integrity Training Seminar of the Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN) will support anti-corruption reform efforts in (ACN/OSCE) countries through exchange of experience and good practice among the ACN countries, with OECD countries, as well as with other regions and organisations.

Let me finish by wishing you all fruitful and comprehensive discussions for the next two days. I am confident that documents/recommendations produced during this Seminar will deliver concrete ideas/proposals for the implementation of anti-corruption policies, maintaining political support and visibility of strategies and action plans, raising public awareness, helping our every day live to be more transparent and honourable/respectable.

Thank you