Brussels, 03/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - Romania, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria are the EU countries that are performing least well on tackling corruption, according to the latest Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).
In this the 20th edition, Denmark, Finland and Sweden lead the way, followed by the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany. Countries are given index scores ranging from 0 (extremely corrupt) to 100 (little corruption). Denmark was awarded a score of 92, and Finland 89. The four lowest European countries achieved scores of 43. The EU average was 64.
Denmark, says Transparency International (TI), has strong rule of law, support for civil society and clear rules governing the behaviour of those in public positions. It has also announced plans to create a public register including beneficial ownership information for all companies incorporated in Denmark, making it harder for the corrupt to hide behind companies registered in another person's name, TI says.
“Although some of the best performing countries are in Europe, EU states should be concerned about their complicity in corruption around the globe. We know that any effort to stop corruption in one country is undermined as long as corrupt officials are allowed to hide their money in another. That is why the EU must act in the next few weeks to prevent money laundering and clamp down on the secret companies that mask corruption”, said Carl Dolan, director of the Transparency International EU Liaison Office, in a press release.
Dirty money enters the financial system and is often legitimised by using corporate vehicles (such as companies, trusts, foundations and other legal arrangements) offering disguise, concealment and anonymity. A key loophole for money launderers is the lack of information collected and published on those who ultimately own and control companies, trusts and other legal structures, says TI.
The countries of the European Union may have higher index scores than some of their neighbours, notably Ukraine and Turkey, but are not free from scandal. “This year has been marked by numerous scandals in the heart of 'old Europe': in France, Spain and Italy they included a former president, a current regional president and members of the royal family”, states TI. The situation in Greece has improved - it has increased its score by three points in the new index - after several reforms have been implemented, TI notes. This year, anti-corruption demonstrations have taken place in several countries: Spain, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia, TI says. Corruption Perceptions Index scores in many of the countries of the European Union remain unchanged or have improved slightly. In part, this is because the economic situation has stabilised, at least at present, and in some cases, governments are starting to tackle endemic corruption. (SP)