Legislative Observatory
European Parliament
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Police and judicial cooperation: contact-point network against corruption

2007/0809(CNS)

PURPOSE: the establishment of national contact points to prevent and combat corruption in Europe.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: an initiative of the Federal Republic of Germany for the adoption of a Council Decision

CONTENT: one of the key articles of the TEU (article 29) states that the objective of the Union is to provide citizens with a high level of safety within an area of freedom, security and justice by combating crime – including corruption and fraud. Since 2000, EU strategies have focused on preventing and controlling organised crime as well as the development of a comprehensive EU policy to combat corruption.

The purpose, therefore, of this proposal is the establishment of an anti-corruption network made up of national contact in the EU’s Member States. One of the main objectives of this network is to improve co-operation between national authorities and agencies. The network will consist of Member States’ authorities and agencies charged with preventing or combating corruption. The members will be designated by the Member States and each Member State must have at least one – but not more than three organisation. The European Commission, Europol and Eurojust will be fully associated with the activities of the Network.

The main tasks of the network are:

1) to act as a European forum for the exchange of information on effective anti-corruption measures;

2) to encourage contact between members.

The list of contact points must be kept up-to-date and a website maintained.

Police and judicial co-operation between the Member States will be governed by relevant rules. The setting up of the network will be without prejudice to such rules and without prejudice to the role of CEPOL. On a final point, the network will organise itself, building upon existing informal collaboration between EPAC. As far as costs are concerned the Member States and the European Commission will bear all expenses of the members or representatives – the same rule applying to both Europol and Eurojust.