COUNCIL OF EUROPE GROUP OF STATES AGAINST CORRUPTION
KNAB represents Latvia in the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). This is the most significant anti-corruption monitoring process and instrument of peer pressure in Europe. It assesses how the standards set by the Council of Europe are met in member countries. KNAB is attending GRECO meetings in Strasbourg 5 times a year.
The GRECO third evaluation round themes are criminalisation of corruption and transparency of party funding.
Third Evaluation Round
- Evaluation Report on Latvia on Incriminations
- Evaluation Report on Latvia on Transparency of Party Funding
Adopted by GRECO at its 39th Plenary Meeting (Strasbourg, 6-10 October 2008)
Second Evaluation Round (2003-2006)
- Evaluation Report on Latvia
Adopted by GRECO at its 19th Plenary Meeting (Strasbourg, 28 June – 2 July 2004) - Compliance Report on Latvia
Adopted by GRECO at its 30th Plenary Meeting (Strasbourg, 9 - 13 October 2006) - Addendum to the Compliance Report on Latvia
Adopted by GRECO at its 41st Plenary Meeting (Strasbourg, 16-19 February 2009)
First Evaluation Round (2000-2002)
- Evaluation Report on Latvia
Adopted by GRECO at its 9th Plenary Meeting (Strasbourg, 13-17 May 2002) - Compliance Report on Latvia
Adopted by GRECO at its 20th Plenary Meeting (Strasbourg, 27-30 September 2004) - Addendum to the Compliance Report on Latvia
Adopted by GRECO at its 30th Plenary Meeting (Strasbourg, 9 - 13 October 2006)
EUROPEAN PARTNERS AGAINST CORRUPTION
EU's National Police Oversight Bodies and Anti-Corruption Authorities
Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) is designated national contact point of network against corruption of the Member States of the European Union according to decision adopted by
the Cabinet of Ministers on 30 June, 2009.
Decision of the Council of the European Union on setting up a contact-point network against corruption was taken in October, 2008 thus recognizing the importance of enhancing international cooperation in the fight against corruption at EU level.
Drawing on experience to fight corruption throughout the world
KNAB seeks to share its experience and learn from specialists in other countries in the area of prevention and countering of corruption.
Over the past 7 years KNAB has participated in seminars and conferences organised by the United Nations, Council of Europe, Baltic Sea States Council (Task Force on Organised Crime, Economic Co-operation), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), European Commission.
Specialists from KNAB have visited Canada, Germany (Hamburg, Raesfeld), Hong Kong (one official received Post-Graduate Certificate in Corruption Studies of the Hong Kong University), Japan, Lithuania, Portugal, United Kingdom, United States (U.S. Department of State seminar on Responsibility in Public Sector and Private Sector).
KNAB has also provided experts in Moldova, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Armenia, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan.
Experts from other countries regularly work at KNAB, including from France, Australia, Austria, the United States and other countries.
Foreign delegations often visit KNAB. Recently we received delegations from Netherlands (Civil Service), Finland (Chamber of Commerce) and Germany (Bundestag).
Strengthening bilateral co-operation with anti-corruption authorities in other countries
In September 2005 KNAB and the Special Investigation Service of Lithuania concluded a bilateral inter-institutional co-operation agreement. This agreement aims to strengthen cooperation of both specialised authorities in the areas of corruption prevention, intelligence and pre-trial investigation, as well as criminal legislation. Both authorities meet regularly.
Coordinating the implementation of anti-corruption conventions in Latvia
KNAB represents Latvia in the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). This is the most significant anti-corruption monitoring process and instrument of peer pressure in Europe. It assesses how the standards set by the Council of Europe are met in member countries. KNAB is attending GRECO meetings in Strasbourg 5 times a year. Latvia has participated in the evaluations of Georgia and Estonia. The first round of GRECO evaluation of Latvia is finished (see the report here) and the second evaluation round compliance report on Latvia was adopted in October 2006 (see the report here).
Latvia has adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption in 12 January 2005. The Law adopting the Convention stipulates that KNAB is responsible for coordination of the implementation of measures foreseen in the convention in Latvia.
While the implementation of the European Union Convention on the Protection of the European Communities Financial Interests in Latvia is the responsibility of the Prosecutor's General Office and the Ministry of Justice, KNAB oversees the implementation of the 1996 Protocol of this Convention.
The contact point for the European Anti-Fraud Office, the "AFCOS", in Latvia is the Ministry of Finance. KNAB participates in the Coordinative Council for the Protection of the Financial Interests of the European Community.
Within its competence, KNAB takes part in meetings of the Multidisciplinary Group on Organised Crime of the Council of the European Union, for instance, on recent project initiated by Austrian government to establish a European Anti-Corruption Network.
Joining anti-corruption initiatives and undertakings
KNAB also takes part in the following anti-corruption initiatives:
- European Healthcare Fraud and Corruption Network
- Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia
- Anti-Corruption Practitioners Network
- In October 2006 the Director of KNAB participated in the 1st Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities in Beijing, China
- European Partners against Corruption (EPAC).