Each member state will establish an anti-corruption directorate, but it is also important to have integrity agencies to handle the prevention and conflicts of interest, the EP rapporteur on the new anti-corruption directive Ramona Strugariu told Euractiv Romania.
For the first time in the EU, a harmonised framework is being developed to define corruption. The new anti-corruption directive is a crucial component of the anti-corruption plan unveiled by Ursula von der Leyen during her State of the Union speech last year.
There are some “bold proposals” in the draft directive, but the European Parliament wants to introduce “more specific provisions, particularly in the areas of transparency, the accountable use of public funds, and traceability of money”, Ramona Strugariu told Euractiv Romania in an interview.
She stressed the need for additional clarifications concerning “integrity, selection criteria for public officials, the handling of conflicts of interest and the concept of revolving doors.”
Moreover, the directive envisions the establishment of specialised anti-corruption structures, similar to those already present in some member states.
“Each country will have an anti-corruption directorate and I think it is important to also have integrity agencies – like ANI in Romania -, focusing on prevention and conflicts of interest”, the co-president of the REPER party told Euractiv.
The EU Commission proposed the new directive in May, but the Czech government has already announced its opposition.
“We appreciate the European Commission’s efforts to step up the fight against corruption and support the objectives of the Directive. However, we consider some parts of the directive problematic and have doubts about them”, Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blažek (ODS, ECR) said.
The anti-corruption package also includes a network against corruption, whose first meeting, hosted by Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, took place on Wednesday in Brussels.
The network brings together national authorities, practitioners, civil society, international organisations, EU agencies and the Commission. It aims to foster collaboration, identify trends and develop good practices to build more effective anti-corruption policies across the EU.
(Cătălina Mihai | Euractiv.ro)
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