By Martin Banks - 15th February 2012
Corruption is a disease
Cecilia Malmström
A new EU-wide report says that corruption remains a major problem in member states.
Far from effectively tackling the problem, levels are thought to have risen over the last three years.
These are the main findings of a Eurobarometer survey published by the commission on Wednesday.
Speaking in Brussels at the launch of the survey, Cecilia Malmström, EU commissioner for home affairs, said, "It is disappointing to note that the practical results in tackling corruption across the EU remain unsatisfactory.
"How many times have we said it was high time to act? Europeans expect national governments to take decisive steps. It's time they did."
The former MEP, added, "Corruption is a disease that destroys a country from within, undermining trust in democratic institutions, weakening the accountability of political leadership and playing into the hands of organised crime groups.
"Corruption can only be tackled successfully through the will and commitment of leaders and decision-makers at all levels."
The latest data shows that almost three quarters of Europeans continue to see corruption as a major problem and think that it exists at all levels of government.
Eight per cent of respondents say that they have been asked or expected to pay a bribe in the past year.
The report says that corruption "continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing Europe".
It says, "Whilst the nature and scope of corruption varies from one member state to another, it harms the EU as a whole in terms of reducing levels of investment, obstructing the fair operation of the internal market and having a negative impact on public finances.
"The economic costs incurred by corruption in the EU are estimated to amount to around €120bn per year," it reveals.
In June last year, the commission adopted an anti-corruption package, calling for a stronger focus on corruption in all relevant EU policies.
It also established a specific EU monitoring and assessment mechanism, an EU anti-corruption report, which will give a clear account of the state of play of anti-corruption efforts in all member states.
The first report is scheduled for 2013.
A commission spokesman said, "The commission will soon propose further legislation, notably on the confiscation of criminals' assets, the reform of public procurement rules, more advanced statistics on crime and an enhanced anti-fraud policy at the European level."
