EU proposal for a directive on combating corruption
OM039:00/2023 Development
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On 3.5.2023, the European Commission submitted a proposal (COM (2023) 234 final) for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating corruption. The proposal would lay down rules to update and harmonise the definitions and punishments of corruption.
Project status
Valtioneuvoston kirjelmä eduskunnalle ehdotuksesta Euroopan parlamentin ja neuvoston direktiiviksi korruption torjumiseksi (U48/2023 vp)
21.9.2023 – 17.11.2023 Other
U-jatkokirje eduskunnalle (UJ 10/2024 vp)
17.5.2024 – 7.6.2024 Other
Basic information In progress
Project number OM039:00/2023
Case numbers VN/14904/2023
Set by Ministry of Justice
Term/schedule 17.5.2023 – 31.5.2025
Date of appointment 17.5.2023
Contact person
Noora Aarnio, Erityisasiantuntija
[email protected]
Contact person
Juha Keränen, Neuvotteleva virkamies
tel. +358 295 150 142
[email protected]
Contact person
Venla Mäntysalo, Erityisasiantuntija
tel. +358 295 150 198
[email protected]
Goals and results
The aim of the proposal is to ensure that all forms of intentional corruption are criminalised in all Member States that legal persons can also be held liable for these offences and that effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions are imposed for them. The proposal also includes appropriate measures to prevent corruption in accordance with international standards and to facilitate cross-border cooperation as required by the UN Convention against corruption. The proposal is minimum regulation and Member States may provide for more extensive and/or severe criminalisation.
The proposal aims to strengthen and complement the existing EU acquis. The Directive to be negotiated is intended to replace the Council Framework Decision on combating corruption in the private sector (2003/568/JHA) and the Convention against corruption involving officials of the European Communities or officials of the Member States of the European Union.
Summary
On 3.5.2023, the European Commission submitted a proposal (COM (2023) 234 final) for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating corruption. The proposal would lay down rules to update and harmonise the definitions and punishments of corruption.
Starting points
Council Framework Decision 2003/568/JHA lays down requirements for criminalising bribery in the private sector. The 1997 Convention on the fight against corruption against EU officials or civil servants of the Member States deals with certain cases of corruption in which such civil servants are normally involved. However, these instruments are not comprehensive enough and the existing rules of the Member States need to be further developed in order to ensure a more coherent and effective functioning of the Union. National implementation differences and obstacles to cooperation between competent authorities in different Member States have also emerged. Member State authorities face challenges related to excessive length of charges, short limitation rules, immunity and privileges rules, limited access to resources, training and investigative powers.
Additional information
The proposal may have an impact on Finnish legislation and the resources of the authorities.
In her State of the EU address in September 2022, European Commission President von der Leyen put the fight against corruption on the European Commission's agenda, stressing the need to address it both at EU and national level. The European Parliament has repeatedly called for more EU action against corruption. The Council made similar calls, in particular in the context of cooperation in the fight against organised and serious transnational crime.
The current EU anti-corruption legal framework needs to be updated to take into account the evolution of corruption threats and the legal obligations of the Union and the Member States under international law as well as the evolution of the national criminal justice framework.
Ungrouped
Person
Role, Term
Aarnio, Noora
Erityisasiantuntija
Ministry of Justice
Role: Project contact person
17.5.2023 – 31.5.2025
Keränen, Juha
Neuvotteleva virkamies
Ministry of Justice
Role: Person in charge
17.5.2023 –
Keränen, Juha
Neuvotteleva virkamies
Ministry of Justice
Role: Project contact person
17.5.2023 – 31.5.2025
Mäntysalo, Venla
Erityisasiantuntija
Ministry of Justice
Role: Project contact person
17.5.2023 – 31.5.2025