"Transparency International’s (TI) 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows that there is no corruption-free zone in and around the EU. The overarching critical perception by EU citizens displayed in the broad decline of CPI scores among several EU Member States can be seen as a sign that anti-corruption reforms must continue and should not stop with EU membership".

Transparency International

Corruption is a global problem, one from which the EU and EU Member States are not exempt. On the contrary, citizens’ perceptions are that corruption is a growing problem in the EU. The fight against corruption in the EU is, therefore, more important than ever.

This is underlined by the alarming results of the most recent European Commission Eurobarometer survey on the attitudes of Europeans towards corruption (2008). It reveals that, overall, corruption in the European Union Member States is perceived to be widespread, with three out of four citizens expressing the view that it is a major problem in their country. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2008 reveals that several EU member states have registered significant increases in perceived levels of corruption.

It is not difficult to find close links between corrupt practices and fraudulent actors inside and outside the EU. Corruption has no borders. National and international criminals are often and partners, linked in networks of shared interests.

In order to be effective and credible, the EU must strengthen its efforts, instruments and capacities to fight against corruption. In particular, by:

• prioritising the fight against corruption in all EU policies and spending;
• establishing an anti-corruption monitoring system in EU candidate and potential candidate countries and systematically checking the compliance of Member States with EU anti-corruption instruments;
• ensuring complete independence of the EU Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF);
• strengthening anti-corruption monitoring by international governmental organisations and national anti-corruption agencies;
• guaranteeing transparent lobbying rules at EU-level and the protection of corruption-related whistleblowers;
• opening formal channels for civil society input into the monitoring processes;
• ensuring the transparent management of EU funds by disclosing all EU fund recipients, including beneficiaries of structural funds;
• promoting transparent and accountable public procurement processes in all EU Member States and EU funds disbursements;
• introducing an EU-wide debarment system (“blacklisting”) for companies or individuals where there is credible evidence of corrupt practices;
• building more accountable and transparent financial management and contracting systems.