A European Union anti-corruption reporting tool: Only few member states still opposing!

Not long ago, the European Commission has finalised a public consultation on the necessity of an anti-corruption reporting tool for all 27 EU member states for which it has received 70 responses from civil society, member states, public bodies and individuals.

We here at the Transparency International Liaison Office to the EU can say that we appreciate all submissions, particularly the ones by Belgium, Hungary, Poland, Romania and the UK (follow the links for their submissions).

In turn, counter-arguments put forwards by France, Italy and Sweden could hamper the development of a comprehensive EU policy against corruption, a policy that is mandated by the so-called Stockholm Programme (see also the Stockholm Action Plan and the Commission Communication on an EU corruption policy).

We don’t agree with the argument from these member states that the intended reporting would duplicate already existing mechanisms under the auspices of the UNCAC or GRECO, etc.!

Instead, as we have proposed in our submission to the Commission consultation, the results of those existing but scattered mechanisms could feed into a comprehensive EU report, along with civil society and expert contributions. Ultimately, this would enable the EU to take on a more strategic and high-profile role reinforcing anti-corruption measures at EU member state level.

To restore fading citizens’ trust, a fact documented in the Transparency International Global Corruption Barometer 2010, the EU should use this opportunity to apply its political weight to push for Union-wide anti-corruption reforms and to re-enforce existing anti-corruption monitoring and assessments.

Let’s work together to convince the few that aren’t convinced yet!

Dr. Janina Berg, Transparency International Liaison Office to the EU (TI-EU)