Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge addressed the high-level anniversary session marking the 25^th anniversary of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO).

“For a quarter of a century now, GRECO’s monitoring reports have gone to the very heart of the way in which the state functions. And their follow-up has been defined by a steady persistence in reminding members of their obligations. Moving forward, what remains important is that GRECO continues to ensure its high level of scrutiny and expectations of its members,” he said.

Also addressing the session, President of the European Court of Human Rights Síofra O’Leary emphasised that GRECO standards has developed over the years and its findings in country evaluations are reflected in many rulings of the Court.

GRECO President Marin Mrcela highlighted that “In 25 years, GRECO has proved to be one of the most efficient means which contribute to ensuring that corruption is not an accepted practice of the functioning of the institutions in our democratic states”.

Claire Bazy Malaurie, President of the Venice Commission; PACE member Sunna Aevarsdottir, representing the Parliamentary Assembly; Leonie Reynolds, President of the Consultative Council of European Judges; and Daniela Arsovska, Mayor of Skopje, representing the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities also spoke at the session.

 Speech of the Deputy Secretary General