High-level
Political Conference for the Purpose of Signing
the United
Nations Convention against Corruption
(Merida - Mexico,
9-11 December 2003)
Agenda - Item 3
Legislative
measures to implement the United
Nations
Convention against Corruption
Mr. Chairman, Excellencies,
distinguished delegates,
Let me thank and congratulate the
Mexican Government for its readiness to host this
In this context, I would like to inform
this Assembly that the Portuguese legislation approved in the years past
already covers all or most of the areas dealt with by the Convention.
I am, therefore, quite confident that
we will not run into difficulties on the ratification of the Convention, which
will certainly be forthcoming.
Mr. Chairman,
They form undoubtedly an integrated and
coherent normative framework for the fight
Allow me, Mr. Chairman, to express my
sincere hope that this Conference will further the entry into force, in the
very near future, of the Convention we have signed today.
Let us make deeds and not only words.
Two weeks before Christmas, when so
many of us think of the best gifts to offer to our dear ones, what better
Christmas gift could we think of to offer to our children and to the millions
and millions of destitute around the world than the signature of this
Convention and its translation into actual deeds?
It is a great honor to be able to sign
this Convention and play our modest but significant part to foster a better
future, but it will be our greater honor to tie our names and
Governments to
the effective enablement of its provisions.
May you have a Merry Christmas and a
Very Prosperous New Year.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and
distinguished delegates, for your attention.