GRECO Appreciates Fight against Corruption in Azerbaijan

Baku / 03.06.20 / Turan: On 3 June, the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) held a video conference briefing, presenting an annual report.

 Marin Mrcela, President of GRECO, and Gianluca Esposito, Executive Secretary of the Group, presented a report on measures to prevent corruption among parliamentarians, judges and prosecutors, as well as in central authorities.

“Corruption undermines citizens' trust in democracy and democratic institutions. Therefore, the implementation of effective anti-corruption measures and the promotion of transparency should be a priority for government agencies. Member States have made progress over the past year, but they should step up their efforts to fully implement the recommendations of GRECO,” said Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejcinovic Buric.

GRECO President Marin Mrcela expressed concern about the widespread occurrence of corruption against those responsible for government institutions.

In 2019, member countries' compliance with GRECO recommendations increased slightly, but by the end of the year recommendations were only 36% implemented.

The lowest level of implemented recommendations turned out to be with respect to parliamentarians (27%), and against judges and prosecutors - 37% and 46%.

“This largely explains why people's confidence in politics is very low,” said the President of GRECO.

By the end of 2019, the situation was assessed in 18 countries. GRECO's recommendations for law enforcement concerned a code of conduct, promotion and dismissal, conflict of interest, restrictions on work, and protection of whistleblowers.

As for Azerbaijan, as of December 31, 2019, the country had fully implemented 13 of 21 recommendations (62%). Five recommendations were partially implemented (24%) and 3 were not implemented (14%)

As of December 31, 2019, Azerbaijan was among the 10 countries that implemented the largest share of GRECO recommendations regarding deputies (50%), judges and prosecutors (57%).

The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) is a Council of Europe body whose goal is the fight against corruption in the Council of Europe member states, as well as Belarus, Kazakhstan and the United States.  — 06D-