EU Anti-Corruption Report
The EU Anti-Corruption Report was the European Commission's short-lived anti-corruption reporting mechanism. The report was planned to be published on a bi-annual basis to monitor and assess the efforts of member states of the European Union in tackling corruption. The Anti-Corruption Report was established in June 2011,[1] but discontinued in February 2017, having only ever published one report in 2014.[2]
Scope and objectives
[edit]The non-binding report was activated in 2013 as a monitoring mechanism to identify "failures and vulnerabilities across the 27 EU Member States".[3] Specifically, its stated objectives were:[1]
(a) to periodically assess the situation in the Union regarding the fight against corruption;
(b) to identify trends and best practices;
(c) to make general recommendations for adjusting EU policy on preventing and fighting corruption;
(d) to make tailor-made recommendations;
(e) to help Member States, civil society or other stakeholders identify shortcomings, raise awareness and provide training on anti-corruption.
The monitoring mechanism envisioned engagement with existing European and international initiatives, including the European Council's Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO); the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC); and the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. Each Member State had a designated "research correspondent" working on the ground and reporting back to an expert group.[4] The EU also aimed to draw upon the work carried out by existing agencies such as the European Anti-Fraud Office and EUROPOL.
Discontinuation
[edit]In February 2017, the Report was discontinued. In an internal letter to the chair of the EU parliament's civil liberty committee, MEP Claude Moraes, Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans argued that the first and only Report published in 2014 had provided the basis for deepened work and consultations as part of the EU's anti-corruption framework. Subsequent reports were therefore not necessary.[5][6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Establishing an EU Anti-corruption reporting mechanism for periodic assessment ("EU Anti-corruption Report")" (PDF). European Commission. 6 June 2011.
- ^ "Commission 'quietly shelves' corruption report". EURACTIV.com. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ European Commission – Press Release, “Commission fights corruption: a stronger commitment for greater results", 6 June 2011
- ^ Michael Kubiciel (Expert Germany) – Der EU Anti Corruption Report, Law Review Article (in German)
- ^ "Timmermans letter" (PDF). Transparency International EU.
- ^ "EU commission drops anti-corruption report". Retrieved 22 November 2017.