Latvia has slipped five places in the latest Corruption Perception Index published by the watchdog group Transparency International, and still is seen as the most corrupt of the three Baltic states.

Latvia placed 57th in the latest survey, equal with Jamaica, the Berlin-based Transparency International announced Oct. 7. Last year, Latvia ranked 52nd, but in 2001 was 59th.

The index, based on polls of business people, academics and country analysts, measured how experts view the level of corruption in 133 nations, an increase of 31 from last year’s survey.

Although Latvia’s overall ranking dropped, its score on Transparency International’s 10-point scale improved to 3.8 from last year’s 3.7.

Lithuania, ranked 36th last year with a score of 4.8, dropped to 41st with a score of 4.7 this year. But Estonia, ranked 29th last year with a score 5.6, slipped to 33rd with a score of 5.5 this year.

Finland is perceived as the least corrupt, retaining its top ranking from last year, while Bangladesh continues to be seen as the most corrupt.

Laila Freivalds, whose family fled Latvia during World War II, has been named Sweden’s new foreign minister, replacing the late Anna Lindh.

Prime Minister Goran Persson announced Freivalds’ appointment on Oct. 3, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stockholm. She will take office Oct. 10.

Freivalds, a lawyer, has twice served as Sweden’s minister of justice, first from 1988-1990 and then from 1998-2000, before she resigned in a storm of media attention over what was viewed as a questionable real estate deal.

Freivalds, 61, was born in Rīga in 1942. She is a member of Sweden’s ruling Social Democratic Party.

Lindh died Sept. 11 after being stabbed by a man in a Stockholm department store. The murder remains under investigation.

Sweden’s Acting Foreign Minister Jan O. Karlsson will leave the government when Freivalds begins her duties, the foreign ministry said.

U.S. Ambassador Brian E. Carlson is among foreign officials offering congratulations to Latvia on the result of the Sept. 20 referendum on joining the European Union.

Carlson sent a letter to Prime Minister Einars Repše noting that the United States has been a strong supporter of EU enlargement as force for stability and prosperity in Europe, according to a press release from the U.S. Embassy in Rīga.

More than 1 million Latvian citizens participated in the referendum, with 67 percent saying “yes” to Latvia joining the EU. A total of 10 nations—including Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania—are expected to join next year, boosting the EU to a total of 25 members.

Other early congratulatory messages have been received by President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga from political leaders in Austria, Finland and France, according to the president’s press office.