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GRECO | Group of States against corruption
Welcome from the GRECO Secretariat!
We are happy to introduce to you the first 2017 edition of GRECO’s Newsletter!
This Newsletter aims at bringing you information about anti-corruption developments at a national, European and International level and information about GRECO’s work and findings.
This Newsletter is not meant to be exhaustive. However, through hyperlinks, you will be guided to several sections of our website  where you will be able to read more about facts, figures, recent news and developments. We continue to strive to improve our work so feel free to send us any comment, suggestion or feedback. Enjoy the reading!
GRECO 17th General Activity Report (2016)
Now available

On 7 June, GRECO President, Marin Mrčela, and a representative from Transparency International EU Office, Daniel Freund, presented and commented upon GRECO’s 2016 Annual Report at an event moderated by Ambassador Zoltan Taubner, at the Council of Europe Brussels' Office. This report includes, among others, a horizontal review of GRECO’s 2016 main findings and a country-by-country state of implementation of GRECO’s recommendations. The report has been widely covered in national and international media.
GRECO June Plenary meeting: the outcome
Strasbourg, 19-23 June 2017

GRECO concluded its 76th plenary meeting on 23 June. Amongst others, GRECO adopted three evaluation reports (Andorra, Monaco and Ukraine), a number of compliance reports, and new Rules of Procedure for its 5th evaluation round. GRECO also held an exchange of views with a delegation of Tunisia in the context of the request by this country to become a member of GRECO, and adopted an expertise of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) integrity framework.
Link to GRECO's decisions
GRECO & EBRD cooperation
GRECO’s President, Marin Mrčela, spoke at the EBRD’s Annual Meetings in Nicosia (Cyprus).
Annual exchange of views of GRECO’s President with the Committee of Ministers
Strasbourg, 31 May 2017

GRECO’s President, Marin Mrčela, held his annual exchange of views with the Ministers’ Deputies [...] (link to GRECO's President speech)
Training for Evaluators
It is never too late to learn new skills!

A Training Seminar was held in Strasbourg, on 3-5 May 2017, to prepare evaluators for the Fifth Evaluation Round. This hands-on practical Seminar included case studies and mock evaluations to enable participants to become familiar with GRECO evaluation procedures / substance of the topics.
Kicking off a new evaluation round
20 March 2017

GRECO launched on 20 March its Fifth Evaluation Round, just before the 75th plenary meeting. The round will focus on “preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central governments (top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies”.
Conference on “assessing the implementation and effectiveness of systems for disclosing interests and assets by public officials”
Tbilisi, 6-7 June 2017 | Ms Vita Habjan Barborič, GRECO Bureau member participated in this Conference organized by the OECD, the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI), UNDP and other partners.
Forthcoming events!
Prague, 9-10 November 2017

A conference on the main trends and lessons learned from GRECO’s Fourth Evaluation Round - on prevention of corruption in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors - will take place on 9-10 November 2017 in Prague, under the auspices of the Czech Republic Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
Last GRECO public reports
Joint First & Second, Third and Fourth Rounds

 
New rules of procedure
At its June 2017 meeting, GRECO adopted its new Rules of Procedure. In addition to a new compliance procedure for the 5th evaluation round, the new Rules provide an ad hoc procedure for GRECO to act in exceptional circumstances.
GRECO Secretariat corner
The first 6 months of 2017 have been eventful, to say the least. A new evaluation round launched with the beginning of the first two 5th round evaluations (in Slovenia and the UK), a hands-on training for 100+ evaluators organised, a countless number of evaluation and compliance reports finalised and issued, an expertise on the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly integrity framework adopted, and extensive outreach carried out across GRECO membership have been amongst the highlight of the first part of the year. Allegations of corruption, dishonest or unethical behaviour have, unfortunately, continued to make the headlines around the world in the first part of 2017. These allegations undermine public confidence in the management of public affairs. GRECO’s work supports countries in improving those areas (of laws, institutions or practice) where improvements are needed and enables the sharing of good practices across the membership.

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