Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index 2005 shows that business people and analysts consider, once again, the Nordic countries as the world's least corrupt, "reflecting a professional and transparent public administration combined with strong civil society and civic culture". Finland is the least corrupt, followed closely by Denmark and Sweden.
According to the report, Greece, Italy, the Czech Republic and Poland have performed relatively poorly and "show little or no sign of improvement". This could weaken the credibility of the EU in the fight against corruption in its new members and and in countries proposed for accession. However, countries that are involved in the accession process show more positive signs than countries that are not. Bulgaria, Turkey, Croatia and Romania are the best performers in the non-EU South and Eastern European countries.
As to the EU's close neigbourhood, the TI report scores demonstrate a perception of endemic and worsening corruption in Belarus and Russia - resulting from reduced transparency of government activities and the closing down or outlawing of several independent organisations, the media and NGOs (fewer watchdogs to monitor government activities). At the same time, Ukraine has significantly improved its score since the new administration came to power.
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