The EU's 2021 Rule of Law Report on Greece's progress in the fight against corruption

On July 20, 2021, the European Commission’s Report on the Rule of Law in European Union 2021 was published.

In the chapter on Greece, the Report assesses positively (p.6) country’s progress in the field of anti - corruption, highlighting in particular the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) and the important role of the NTA for the cooperation and coordination of all stakeholders for its successful implementation. The report also notes that the preparation of the new NACAP for the period 2022-2025, led by the NTA, focuses on sectors and activities characterized by a high risk of corruption incidents.

The text of the Report (p. 7) highlights the gradual improvement of the NTA’s administrative capacity, while particular reference is made to the preparation and publication by the Authority of the "Corruption and Fraud Risk Management Guide" for the mapping and prevention of fraud and corruption in public institutions.

In the specific points of the Report (p. 8), the scheduled Assets Declaration ("Pothen Esches") audits conducted by the NTA, are positively assessed, especially with the first-time application of risk analysis methodologies and criteria. These audits resulted in the identification of 15 cases of undeclared income and 2 cases of potential conflicts of interest.

The report also positively evaluates (p. 9), the NTA's contribution to public health protection during the pandemic from May to December 2020, with 10,678 inspections carried out, fines of €954,950 imposed, and the suspension of 109 businesses.

Finally, the forthcoming legislation regulating lobbying activities and the incorporation of Directive 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report breaches of EU law, in which the NTA actively participates in collaboration with the relevant Ministries and institutions, will be reassessed in the 2022 EU Rule of Law Report (p. 9).