Prevention and transparency: the EU Parliament’s anti-corruption strategy

Prevention, risk mapping, transparency. These are the pillars of the draft resolution on the European anti-corruption strategy approved on 14 July by the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. According to European Commission estimates, corruption costs Europe between 179 billion and 990 billion dollars a year. According to Eurobarometer data from 2025, 69 per cent of EU citizens believe it is a widespread problem in their own country.

According to MEPs, uniform standards are needed on conflicts of interest, asset declarations, gifts and sponsored travel. A clear definition of misappropriation is also desirable. The resolution also supports the need for greater cooperation and information-sharing between Member States and EU authorities, such as Europol, the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). Bodies specialising in the fight against corruption should also have access to adequate resources and guarantees to protect their independence, the European Parliament continues. Furthermore, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office should receive funding to combat international corruption. The spotlight is on public procurement, particularly where companies convicted of or suspected of offences in one country are able to take part in tenders in other countries.

At international level, too, the EU strategy should also address money laundering and the concealment of assets. In particular, the report highlights the misuse of crypto-assets , encrypted communications and digital finance systems. Greater cooperation is therefore needed to trace and recover the proceeds. There has also been a renewed call to extend the regulatory frameworks to EU citizens working on behalf of private companies abroad and vice versa. Furthermore, according to MEPs, the European Commission should establish a regular review process involving all European institutions and develop common indicators for a monitoring framework.