Reaction of the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Mr. Igor Luksic, PhD., to the text published in the Economist Magazine, "The Balkan fraudster" posted on 21 May

SIR – Your suggestion that the case of Darko Saric, a Serbian fugitive wanted on charges of drug-smuggling, has “hit the reputation of Montenegro” was way off the mark (“A Balkan imbroglio”, May 8th). As you noted, preliminary evidence indicates that Mr Saric may have laundered money through the Montenegrin branch of Hypo Alpe Adria, an Austrian bank. Montenegro has begun an inquiry and will press charges where appropriate.

The fact is, criminals launder money in countries all around the world. It is hard to understand why you think Montenegro’s reputation might be compromised, especially as the authorities are taking action to identify those responsible. Would you say that the Saric affair has damaged the standing of Austria, where Hypo Alpe Adria is based, or the United States, where some of Mr Saric’s funds supposedly originated?

It is no secret that Montenegro is battling corruption. The press often ignores the fact that we are winning that fight. The Council of Europe’s Group of States Against Corruption reported that Montenegro has satisfactorily implemented 67% of its recommendations since 2006, a greater percentage than that of any other Balkan nation. Freedom House gave Montenegro a better rating on corruption in 2009 compared with just two years prior. Transparency International accorded Montenegro a better score on corruption than any other Balkan country apart from Croatia.

Igor Luksic
Deputy prime minister
Podgorica, Montenegro