Varuzhan Hoktanyan, Executive Director of Transparency International Anti-corruption Center participated in TI Europe and Central Asia Annual Regional Meeting in Tirana, Albania from May 12 to 15, 2010. An International Conference "Obstacle Corruption: The EU as a Driver for Sustainable Anti-corruption Reforms?" was convened on May 12. EU and international financial support: How to insure transparency?; transparency in political party and local government financing and an independent judiciary ? a guarantee against corruption? were among the issues addressed during the conference.

The conference provided a forum to discuss good governance and anti-corruption reforms as an essential aspect of the European Union accession process. It explored the question how the reforms could be sustainable and how anti-corruption standards could be promoted within and outside the EU. The event was organized by TI, the government of Albania and TI Albania. Lutfi Dervishi, Executive Director TI Albania made welcoming speech, Dr. Miklos Marschall, Director TI Europe and Central Asia Department delivered opening address and closing remarks. Keynote speaker on Albania's progress in anti-corruption was the Prime Minister of Albania Sali Berisha.

The next couple of days of the Regional Meeting were dedicated to the discussion of the new TI Strategy 2015. The objectives of the strategy were to contribute towards the development of shared aspirations for TI in 2010, key programmatic and organizational goals for the movement over the next five years, and an improved Movement-wide mission statement. During the final day of the meeting the participants attended thematic workshops, as well as networking, question and answer and problem solving session.