Monica Macovei | Anticorruption Written Declaration

http://www.monicamacovei.eu/en/activity/anticorruption-...

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http://www.monicamacovei.eu/en/activity/anticorruption-written-declaration

Monica Macovei | Anticorruption Written Declaration

(Brussels, May 6, 2010) - The Written Declaration on the European Union's efforts to combat corruption has been adopted by the European Parliament, having obtained the signatures of more than half of the Members of the European Parliament. The Declaration now illustrates the European Parliament's political will to combat corruption in the Union. "I call upon the Commission and the Council to establish a strong and solid anti-corruption monitoring mechanism in the EU and I appeal to the Member States to show political will and support such an EU mechanism", said Monica Macovei. The Declaration was co-authored by five MEPs from various political groups in the European Parliament: Monica Macovei (EPP Group, Romania), Simon Busuttil (EPP Group, Malta), Luigi de Magistris (ALDE, Italy), Ana Gomes (S-D, Portugal), and Bart Staes (Greens, Belgium). Transparency International and FLARE (Freedom, Legality and Rights in Europe) provided support through their own campaigns for the collection of signatures. "This is another step in putting the fight against corruption on the EU agenda. We shall certainly be following up," said Simon Busuttil. Corruption brings poverty, as public money is illegally diverted into private pockets. Corruption brings poor governance, distorts the functioning of the internal market, and undermines the rule of law. Ultimately, corruption undermines the principles on which the Union is founded and functions and represents a threat to achieving a genuine area of justice, freedom and security for European citizens. The 2009 Eurobarometer on attitudes of Europeans towards corruption showed that 78% of EU citizens are concerned about corruption being a major problem in their Member State. "The failure to act now puts both taxpayers money and the Union's credibility at high risk. Let's not pretend we can't see it," said Monica Macovei. Monica Macovei MEP is Chairwoman of the Delegation to the EU-Republic of Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee and Member of the Committees on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; Budgetary Control; and Foreign Affairs (substitute). Simon Busuttil MEP is Head of the Maltese Delegation of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Member of the Committees on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (EPP
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Monica Macovei | Anticorruption Written Declaration

http://www.monicamacovei.eu/en/activity/anticorruption-...

Group Coordinator); Petitions; and Fisheries (substitute); and of the Delegations for relations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo; for relations with Switzerland, Iceland and Norway and to the European Economic Area (EEA) Joint Parliamentary Committee (substitute); and to the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (substitute). *** The European Parliament , having regard to Rule 123 of its Rules of Procedure, A. concerned that corruption undermines the rule of law, leads to the misuse of EU funds provided by the taxpayer, and distorts the market, having played a role in the current economic crisis, B. whereas the Union has ratified the UN Convention against Corruption, and 78% of Union citizens agree that corruption is a major concern in their country (Eurobarometer, December 2009), C. having regard to the emphasis placed by Parliament on combating corruption in its resolution on the Stockholm Programme regarding freedom, security and justice, D. noting the International Day against Corruption (9 December), on which this declaration is launched, 1. Urges the European institutions to adopt a comprehensive anti-corruption policy and create a clear mechanism for monitoring the situation in the Member States on a regular basis; 2. Calls on the Commission to provide all necessary resources to implement this monitoring mechanism and ensure that its conclusions and findings are followed up effectively; 3. Calls on the Commission and the relevant Union agencies to take all necessary measures and provide sufficient resources to ensure that EU funds are not subject to corruption, and to adopt dissuasive sanctions where corruption and fraud are found; 4. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories(1) , to the Council, the Commission, and the Member States.

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