A South-East European Defence Transparency Audit

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Abstract:

The article presents the major findings of a comprehensive study, led by the author in his capacity as Research Director at the Centre for European Security Studies, Groningen, The Netherlands. As a result of this ‘defence transparency audit’ eight countries in South East Europe (SEE) are ranked in terms of their information-disclosure policies, procedures and publications. As of 2002, the two NATO invitees earn highest ratings. The three SEE MAP (Membership Action Plan) countries follow. The troubled states of the old Yugoslavia – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro – come lower in the transparency ranking while Moldova sits in bottom place. In addition the article identifies useful examples of good practice in defence transparency and accountability in SEE.