19/05/2017 (Agence Europe) – Lithuania has completed the process to become a member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Anti-Bribery Convention and will become the 42nd party to this convention on 15 July 2017, 60 days after the deposit of its instrument of accession on Friday 19 May. Having entered into force in 1999, the Anti-Bribery Convention prohibits the bribery of foreign public officials in international business transactions. Through country monitoring and extensive peer-led follow-up, the convention seeks to ensure that the fight against bribery is effective, thus creating a level playing field for fair competition. In addition to the 35 OECD member countries, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, Russia and South Africa are also parties to the convention. (EH)