Voorzitterschap consulteert Transparency International (en)

Deputy State Secretary for EU Affairs Bálint Ódor consulted with Jana Mittermaier, head of Transparency International’s Brussels office, and Mr Ádám Földes, manager of the international anti-corruption organisation’s Hungarian office in Brussels on 20 January 2011 in Budapest.

Ms Mittermeier commended the Hungarian Presidency for its programme and welcomed its commitment and leadership in the fight against corruption. She agreed with the Presidency’s priorities, especially the goals focused on recovering from the economic crisis. She pointed out that Transparency International is convinced that eliminating corruption from the financial sector and increasing transparency are fundamental in reviving Europe’s economy.

Ms Mittermaier called the Hungarian Presidency’s attention to several issues where Transparency International expects progress at the EU level as soon as possible, and she handed over to the Hungarian Deputy Minister of State the organisation’s proposals regarding the public sector, the competitive sector, law enforcement and criminal investigation. She emphasised the importance of a thorough and comprehensive anti-corruption strategy that covers all substantial EU policies, all Member States and candidate countries. Transparency International considers it of utmost importance to fight corruption on the organisational management level.

Mr Ádám Földes drew the attention to the current ongoing supervision of the 2001 regulation relating to making the documents of EU institutions public. The regulation primarily aims to provide a real possibility for EU citizens to learn about the background of decisions made in their names.

Mr Bálint Ódor welcomed the efforts of Transparency International in the fight against corruption and on behalf of the Presidency thankfully noted its proposals.