Dear Members of the Anti-Corruption Council,

I am deeply saddened by the news that Ms. Verica Barać passed away today. She bravely combated her illness, as she combated corruption up to the last moments of her life. Verica was a courageous person both in her personal and professional life.

I have fond memories of our last meeting in December 2011 when we were preparing a joint event for International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December and when we discussed in great depth many open issues and problems relating to corruption in Serbia.

Her efforts and tireless work went hand in hand with her profound conviction that fighting corruption is indispensable for progress to be made by Serbia on its way towards EU membership.

For more than one decade she persistently raised serious issues of systemic corruption in the Serbian economy and society, tirelessly questioning the level of political will to fight corruption. She worked with the dedication of a person who is doing this for the better future of her country and people.

I hope that you, her associates and collaborators in the Anti-Corruption Council, will continue down the road that Verica took and that the work she started will not slow down or disappear.

Personally, I feel deep sorrow and my thoughts go to her family and friends in this difficult moment for them.

Yours sincerely,
Vincent DEGERT