Brussels, 24/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - A report by Transparency International published on Thursday 24 April reveals weaknesses in the antic-corruption mechanisms at the European institutions. This first report on the integrity of the EU sheds light on loopholes vis-à-vis the lobby register, protection of whistle-blowers and decisions being taken behind closed doors.
Published a month ahead of the European elections, the report may feed into voter suspicions. According to a recent Eurobarometer poll quoted by Transparency International, 70% of the public believe corruption is present in the institutions. The Transparency International report highlights a range of rules and practices that support high standards of public service and accountability within the EU's bodies, but these are weakened by unclear rules, lack of political leadership and bad practice, and the organisation therefore concludes that corruption certainly does exist in Europe.
Transparency International wants the lobby register to be made compulsory for the estimated 15,000 lobbyists in Brussels. Too many law firms refuse to register on the grounds of client privacy, explains a source at Transparency International, regretting that the general public is unaware of the external interests that influence European legislation.
Transparency International is unhappy that despite legal obligations to do so, of the ten European institutions studied in the report, only the European Commission has effective mechanisms in place to protect internal whistle-blowers. A culture of transparency should become the norm, explains the course, so that people feel secure enough to speak out. Transparency International regrets that in late 2013, only seven companies were barred from tendering for EU contracts due to evidence of corruption (of the 30 companies supplying services to the Commission from 2010 to 2013).
There is no comprehensive verification of the assets declared by Commissioners or MEPs, despite the importance of such verification to rule out illicit gains, argues Transparency International. Another shortcoming is the fact that self-regulation is the norm for ethnical standards for high-ranking decision-making, such as the cooling-off period after a job at the EU institutions. The organisation points out that former members of EU institutions are now working on ethics committees, undermining the independence of such committees. Carl Dolan, director of Transparency International's European office, says: “The European elections in May are an opportunity to reflect on how EU institutions can better serve the public. If the new EU leadership is serious about arresting the decline in trust and confidence, corruption risks need to be dealt with before they become corruption scandals.” (MD)