Brussels, 25/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - MEPs have called on the EU to introduce stricter rules “to prevent mafia-style organisations from accessing legal economic circuits and infiltrating political circles”. This demand was made through the adoption of a report by Sonia Alfano (ALDE, Italy) on organised crime in the European Union. MEPs also suggest setting up a special committee to investigate the negative social and economic impact of organised crime in Europe. Organised crime and mafias are a key threat to the security of the EU. This report proposes a clear line of attack. The main object is to take criminal organisations' assets away and to seize the profits of their activities, explained rapporteur Alfano.
To prevent misuse of public funds by mafia-style organisations, MEPs call on the Commission to draft rules to ensure that the use of EU funds is fully traceable by public authorities, citizens and the press. The Parliament devotes special attention to local authorities, which “are more liable to infiltration by organised crime”, says the text. The Commission should also draw up legislation to prevent companies linked to organised crime and mafias from taking part in public procurement procedures. According to the EP, the EU should focus on attacking criminal assets, “including those that are often hidden behind a network of front men and supporters, political institutions and lobby groups”. In addition, the Commission is asked to draw up clear guidelines on the traceability of money, to make it easier to identify the laundering of funds coming from illegal activities.
MEPs also want to clean up in the parliamentary arena and advocate laying down rules to ensure that those who have been convicted of membership of a criminal organisation will be unable to stand for European elections. The EP adds: “European political groups should draw up internal codes of ethics to the same end and member states should introduce similar rules for national and local elections”. (SP/transl.fl)