Text tabled : B7-0481/2011

  Pino Arlacchi (S&D), in writing. − I strongly support this joint Resolution because the fight against corruption must be one of our absolute priorities. Unfortunately, there is a lack of real political commitment from leaders and decision-makers to combat corruption in all its forms. As we all know, corruption has kept many dictatorial regimes in power and allowed them to channel significant amounts of money to foreign bank accounts, including European ones. Member States must step up their efforts to trace and freeze foreign stolen assets so they can be returned to their rightful owners.

I also want to underline that corruption causes social harm, and organised crime groups use corruption networks to commit other serious crimes, such as trafficking in drugs and human beings. In addition to that, we should bear in mind that the economic recovery of Member States, hit by the economic and financial crisis, is hampered by corruption, tax evasion, tax fraud and other economic crimes. For these reasons, Member States must fully cooperate with Europol, Eurojust and OLAF in investigating and prosecuting corruption-related crimes. It is also essential for all the EU institutions to ensure greater transparency by drawing up stronger codes of conduct or improving those that already exist.