France has told Brussels it is time to get serious about tackling corruption – with a close ally of the French President saying it was time to “restore the confidence of citizens” in the bloc’s institutions after a string of scandals.
Laurence Boone, France’s EU Affairs Minister, is calling on other members of the EU27 to get behind a proposal to create an independent watchdog with the power to check the incomes of officials.
The European Union was rocked by a series of arrests last year, notably former European Parliament vice-president, Greece’s Eva Kaili.
The MEP was one of several arrested by Belgian Federal Police in December as part of an investigation into organised crime, corruption and money laundering linked to lobbying efforts in support of Qatar – dubbed Qatargate. Ms Kaili is currently under house arrest.
Ms Boone, who argues his plan would be more effective than the ethics body currently being pitched by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, told Politico: “The Commission’s proposal is a start, but I think we can and must be much more ambitious.
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“After the shock caused by several corruption scandals we need to restore citizens’ confidence in their institutions.
“We need an independent authority, with real means of control to prevent new scandals.”
Earlier this year it was revealed several European commissioners went on sponsored trips, with one official accepting free flights from Qatar Airways at a time when his team was discussing an aviation deal with the Middle Eastern nation.
Another was accused of failing to disclose ownership of a luxury hotel in Bali.
The situation has prompted suggestions of double standards, given the Commission has asked Ukraine to make declaration of assets compulsory to ensure Kyiv officials are not making money on the side.
Speaking earlier this month, Ms von der Leyen’s predecessor, Jean-Claude Juncker, railed against the idea of Ukraine joining the EU, saying: “Anyone who has had anything to do with Ukraine knows that this is a country that is corrupt at all levels of society.
“Despite its efforts, it is not ready for accession. It needs massive internal reform processes.”
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European Union leaders yesterday offered a new growth plan to the six Western Balkans countries that opens parts of the EU single market to them in return for deep reforms, ahead of their full membership in the bloc.
The integration of Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia into the EU was discussed at a summit Monday in Albania’s capital as part of annual talks called the Berlin Process.
The meeting was attended by Ms von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel, as well as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The EU has made it a requirement for Western Balkan countries to reform their economies and political institutions before joining, including by improving the regulatory structure for business, fighting corruption and stamping out organised crime.
Von der Leyen said yesterday that the EU’s new growth plan for those countries could allow them to enter portions of the EU single market on a case-by-case basis in return for demonstrated reforms.
The countries would be able to join the EU market in the areas of goods and services, road transport, energy, electricity, customs cooperation, e-commerce and cashless payments, “just to name a few,” von der Leyen said.
She added: “We really have to tap into the potential that is here in the Western Balkans and get it closer to the European single market.
“By failing to move ahead with reforms, capitalising, the only one you can block is yourself.”
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