Brussels, 15/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - In a resolution adopted by 553 votes in favour, as opposed to 3 against and 11 abstentions, on Thursday 15 September, the European Parliament called for European sanctions against corruption and for member states to implement rules to get rid of this problem. Corruption costs the EU economy €120 billion per year, almost as much as the EU's annual budget. The economic crisis in many EU countries makes anti-corruption measures are all the more urgent, it adds. Parliament urges the Commission to step up the fight against corruption and to bring forward its assessment of anti-corruption efforts in the EU to 2012, sooner than proposed in its anti-corruption package presented in June. Parliament wants an EU-wide definition of corruption as well as EU-wide sanctions, given its cross-border dimension. It says harmonised rules on the protection of whistleblowers and the criminalisation of illicit enrichment are also needed. To fight corruption there should be more openness in financial transactions, especially those involving tax havens, MEPs underline. Parliament calls on all EU institutions and member states to improve transparency by drawing up codes of conduct or improving existing ones, with, as a minimum, clear rules banning conflicts of interest. They should also take action in “preventing and fighting corruption infiltrating politics and the media”. (OL/transl.fl)