My name is Yolbars Kepbanov. I am a representative of the Tebigi Kuwwat Public Association and I have a Doctorate in Law in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. From April to May 2024, I spent one month at Marmara University in Istanbul, Turkey, and from May to August 2024, three months at Charles University Prague, Czech Republic as part of the MOCCA project.
As part of the MOCCA project, which aims to conduct research on anti-corruption legislation in Central Asia, it seemed to me that it would be worthwhile to visit these two countries with different mentality. In my opinion, there could hardly be a better place for this purpose than these educational and research institutions. It is not the first time that I had a secondment at Marmara University and Charles University, where I have received great support and attention. First of all, this comprehensive assistance was in finding the necessary material, literature and meeting with relevant specialists.
I have chosen a scientific topic related to the anti-corruption legislation of Turkmenistan considering the best practices of the EU, which involves, among other things, studying the positive experience of the countries in the fight against corruption. This can help me to develop specific recommendations for improving our national anti-corruption legislation, to identify institutional mechanisms that provide specific measures in this direction. I was supported and assisted in every possible way by professors, students, staff at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Charles University and at the Political Science and International Relations Department in Marmara University. Together with local scholars, we actively exchanged academic opinions, data and definitions in order to understand what the problems in the fight against corruption really are.
I had a great opportunity to use libraries in Istanbul and Prague and online academic databases to research corruption issues. I learned a wide range of legal measures to fight corruption, with different types of corruption in all scales and forms, as well as different types of anti-corruption campaigns. This theoretical material helped me to develop the structure of my future work, to organize the collected material into relevant sections, which will the basis for my research and secondment in 2025.
My research concerns the analysis of anti-corruption legislation of Turkmenistan, because corruption currently remains one of the main challenges to development of the country. It can undermine the security and significantly limit the freedoms of citizens. Despite the adoption of preventive measures by the government, corruption still has a negative impact. In this regard, the study of the problems of combating corruption, primarily by means of legal instruments, is currently of utmost importance. The main objective of my research thus will be to analyze the relevant legislation.
Of course, in addition to research work, I also found time for a cultural program. Istanbul is the largest city of Turkey, the economic, historical and cultural center of the country. I was impressed by such historical and cultural monuments as Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofia and others. During my stay in Istanbul I managed to visit the resort city of Alanya, where I spent a wonderful time among palm trees and beaches.
The capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, where I spent most of my secondment, is a completely different environment. Prague is an old romantic city where one won’t get bored. It is a paradise for those who love culture, history and shopping. It provides all kinds of goods produced in different parts of the Czech Republic. Walking around the central part of the city, one can simultaneously enjoy the beauty of ancient buildings and buy unique souvenirs. In addition to Prague, I managed to visit Karlovy Vary, where there are many historical monuments, unusual buildings and most importantly a large number of mineral springs. All this impressed me very much.
Finally, I would like to express my great gratitude to the MOCCA team in Lund, who provided me with great support and assistance in my research and in the organization of the trip.