Kosovo political parties signed a statement aimed at increasing financial transparency during election campaign, Koha reports.

Shpend Emini from the Democracy for Development said the absence of auditing into finances of political parties is damaging for democracy and that the problem has also been noted by the European Commission in its annual progress report. “The statement signed today expresses the will of political parties to undertake steps in increasing financial transparency. It is a duty of political parties to set an example to the society by opening up their finances to the public”, Emini said.

Head of Central Election Commission (CEC), Valdete Daka, said the statement contributes to development of democracy. “Transparency is one of the foundations of democracy and I very much hope that this time political parties will publish their financial reports which we in the CEC receive and forward to the Assembly of Kosovo”, Daka said.

Luigi Brusa from the EU Office said increase of transparency translates into increase of electorate’s trust with parties.