COUNCIL
OF
Elements
for statement by Mrs Maud De Boer- Buquicchio, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe
on the occasion of the High Level Political meeting on Corruption,
Chair,
Ministers,
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
Corruption
is the cancer of governance. It grows silently and affects our societies'
vital organs. It weakens our defences and undermines
our fundamental values.
Corruption
may occur at any moment and any where but is not a fatality. Experience shows
that corruption can be successfully combated provided that there is enough
political will to do so.
Fighting
corruption implies investing in research and prevention, finding the right
therapy and accepting regular check-ups.
The
Council of Europe has been addressing this challenge since the early 90s.
Our action has concentrated not only on the phenomenon and its causes, but
also on the ominous consequences it has on our societies.
From
the outset, our approach has been based on the understanding that an effective
fight against corruption should follow a multidisciplinary approach and requires
increased co-operation between States and international institutions. We have
therefore promoted co-ordinated measures at the
European level and beyond.
The
Council of Europe's work in this field has led to the adoption of a set of
Guiding Principles and several legal instruments in this area including a
Criminal, and a Civil Convention on Corruption, as well as various recommendations
dealing, inter alia, with the funding of political
parties and electoral campaigns, or with codes of conduct for public officials.
Together they provide our members with a substantive legal armamentarium to
fight this scourge.
Legal
and political instruments may certainly compose a good prescription. However,
for it to be effective, we need to make sure that the remedies are correctly
administered and adequately processed by the organism.
Regular check-ups are therefore needed to monitor the progress made and adapt
the treatment if need be.
This
analysis led the Council of Europe to set up in 1998 the GRECO, the Group
of States against Corruption. GRECO currently counts 36 amongst its members,
including the
GRECO
is a flexible and efficient follow-up mechanism. It thoroughly monitors, through
a process of mutual evaluation and peer pressure, the observance of the Guiding
Principles in the Fight against Corruption and the implementation of our legal
instruments.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
Fighting
corruption requires joint efforts. The instrument you have come to sign and
support represents a decisive step in the fight against corruption on a global
scale. It is crucial to secure its early entry into force and to ensure that
it is implemented and duly complied with.
The
Council of Europe has actively contributed to the negotiation of this Convention
and stands ready to contribute to its success in any way that may be deemed
necessary. The forum that the Council of Europe provides could be notably
instrumental in the monitoring of the implementation of the UN Convention
at the Pan-European level.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Fighting
corruption also needs courage. One can hardly combat a disease without mental
strength and determination. Your presence here shows that you are ready to
face this challenge and that you are not alone in this endeavour:
the whole family is there to support you.
I
wish to thank the Mexican authorities for providing us with his wonderful
framework for our discussions and for their commitment in this important issue.
The
Council of Europe is proud to join efforts with the UN to establish a fair,
stable, transparent and clearly defined legal and institutional framework.
Our
endeavours are part of our continuous efforts to
preserve what constitutes the vital capital of a healthy society: its values.
Thank
you very much.