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Police and judicial cooperation: contact-point network against corruption

2007/0809(CNS)

PURPOSE: to establish an anti-corruption network made up of national contact in the EU’s Member States.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2008/852/JHA on a contact-point network against corruption.

CONTENT: this Directive enhances EU cooperation against corruption. It notes that the enhancement of international cooperation is generally recognised as a key issue in the fight against corruption. The fight against all forms of corruption will be improved by cooperating effectively, identifying opportunities, sharing good practices and developing high professional standards. The establishment of an anti-corruption network at EU level is an important contribution to the improvement of such cooperation,

Accordingly, in order to improve cooperation between authorities and agencies to prevent and combat corruption in Europe a network of contact points of the Member States of the EU is set up (‘the Network’). The European Commission, Europol and Eurojust are fully associated with the activities of the Network.

Composition of the network: this consists of authorities and agencies of Member States charged with preventing or combating corruption. The members will be designated by Member States, who will each designate at least one, but not more than three organisations. The European Commission will designate its representatives. Within their respective competencies, Europol and Eurojust may participate in the activities of the Network.

Tasks of the network: the network shall in particular have the following tasks:

  • it shall constitute a forum for the exchange throughout the EU of information on effective measures and experience in the prevention and combating of corruption;
  • it shall facilitate the establishment and active maintenance of contacts between its members. To these ends, inter alia, a list of contact points shall be kept upto- date and a web site operated.

The members of the network shall, for the accomplishment of their tasks, meet at least once a year.

Organisation of the network: the network shall organise itself, building upon existing informal collaboration between the European Partners Against Corruption (EPAC). Member States and the European Commission shall bear all expenses of the members or representatives designated by them. The same rule shall apply to Europol and Eurojust.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 25/10/2008.