Within the framework of the 2020 CoE/EU Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP) envelope, the Economic Crime and Cooperation Division is assisting Cypriot authorities with the implementation of specific actions envisaged by the National Horizontal Action Plan against Corruption.
One of the priority areas of assistance provided, based on the needs identified in the Action Plan and request from the national authorities, consists in an assessment of the current national legislative and institutional framework for conflict-of-interest management in Cyprus, with advice for its enhancement. In order to help the concerned Cypriot authorities obtain a clear understanding of their national situation with regard to conflict of interest management in the public service, in comparison with other European and international standards and practices, the Council of Europe therefore produced a “Policy report on the management of conflict of interest for civil servants in Cyprus”.
The methodology used for developing this policy report was designed to ensure the highest possible accuracy and relevance of its contents as well as national ownership and follow-up on its findings and recommendations by the concerned national authorities. The Council of Europe expert team first conducted a thorough desk review of existing legislation and regulations, following which a detailed questionnaire of 75 questions covering different aspects of the national legal and institutional framework and practices related to conflicts of interests in Cyprus was submitted to concerned authorities. The responses to the questionnaire were then complemented by a series of four substantive consultative meetings with representatives from relevant institutions, notably the Ministry of Justice and Public Order (MJPO) and the Cyprus Public Administration and Personnel Department (PAPD) under the Ministry of Finance, between October 2020 and April 2021. The draft paper was also circulated for review by the same stakeholders, and amended according to their feedback and additional inputs. As a result, the final paper provides a comprehensive assessment and a set of 43 practical recommendations for an evolution of the current system towards more effective conflict-of-interest management in the Cypriot civil service.
The analysis covers a wide range of aspects such as the rules for the management of ad hoc conflicts of interest, accessory activities and incompatibilities (including outside employment, business activities, party offices), the system of post-employment restrictions and their oversight, acceptance and handling of gifts, disclosure of interests, sanctions, and the availability of advice and training on this matter. The rules are assessed in the context of international standards and recommendations as well as practice in selected European countries. The proposed recommendations also highlight four priority areas (concerning the management of ad hoc conflicts of interest, oversight body and officials, the framework for gifts, and regular declarations of interest) for the further development the national legal framework and practice.
With this policy report, Cypriot authorities now possess a systematic overview and concrete options, for them to decide on, for the way forward towards a more effective framework for managing conflicts of interests of civil servants and thus ultimately enhance national corruption prevention mechanisms. The Council of Europe will continue to support Cyprus in this area – including for the further discussion and application of the recommendations provided in the paper.
These activities were conducted within the framework of the Structural Reform Support Programme initiative “Implementation of the National Horizontal Action Plan against Corruption in Cyprus”, funded by the European Commission Directorate General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.
