ECR shadow rapporteur Mariusz Kamiński is not satisfied with the trilogue agreement on the European Anti-Corruption Directive as approved today in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.

The ECR has consistently supported stronger and more effective tools to combat corruption, but insists that credibility begins at home and that EU institutions and officials themselves must be subject to robust and binding integrity standards, not only Member States.

Mr Kamiński commenting today’s adoption, said:

“Effective anti-corruption policy in the 21st century cannot stop at national borders. If we are serious about restoring trust, EU institutions and high-level European officials must be subject to the same strong integrity rules that we expect from Member States.

“Scandals such as Qatargate and the recent Reyndersgate case have shown that corruption risks do not disappear at the doors of European institutions. A directive that overlooks this reality risks undermining its own credibility.

“We also need specialised, independent anti-corruption bodies with real investigative powers. Without strong and independent enforcement structures, anti-corruption legislation, strategies risks remaining a paper exercise instead of a genuine tool to protect the public interest. Such specialisation is not only in line with international commitments but also crucial for maintaining the EU’s credibility in its relations with candidate countries.

“The ECR Group will continue to work for a European anti-corruption framework that is legally solid, operationally effective and applies the principle of accountability equally at national and European level.”