Council of Europe Leadership Commends Kazakhstan's Progress in Combating Corruption

Council of Europe Leadership Commends Kazakhstan's Progress in Combating Corruption

Strasbourg, June 21, 2024 – On June 17-21, the 97th Plenary Meeting of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) took place in Strasbourg. The delegation from the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan (AntiCor) participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, Kazakhstan's readiness to publish the report on the combined 1st and 2nd evaluation rounds, adopted at the 96th GRECO Plenary Meeting, with an official translation into the state language, was announced. The organization of a visit to Kazakhstan by a working group in September this year for the 3rd evaluation round was discussed with the Secretariat.

Additionally, the meeting addressed and approved the Rules for the 6th Evaluation Round of GRECO on the topic: "Preventing Corruption and Promoting Integrity in Sub-National Authorities" (regional and local government bodies), as well as amendments to GRECO's Regulations regarding the publication and confidentiality of country reports.

Monitoring reports for the 5th evaluation round (issues of preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central government bodies (senior officials) and law enforcement systems) were adopted for Andorra (23 recommendations), Switzerland (16 recommendations), and Monaco (24 recommendations). Progress reports on the implementation of recommendations were also reviewed for San Marino, Romania, Switzerland, Spain, Serbia, Montenegro, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Slovenia, and Ireland.

Moreover, within the framework of the 97th GRECO Plenary Meeting, a session dedicated to GRECO's 25th Anniversary took place. Speakers included the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Bjørn Berge, GRECO President Marin Mrčela, President of the European Court of Human Rights Síofra O'Leary, Chair of the Venice Commission Claire Bazy Malaurie, among others.

The Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan Anel Bakytbekkyzy delivered a speech at the Anniversary session. She emphasized the significance of GRECO's work, highlighting that the fight against corruption is one of the main priorities of state policy in Kazakhstan. She noted that in 2022, the head of state expanded the democratic transition and conducted profound constitutional reforms.

Special attention was given to the fact that these reforms are part of a comprehensive transformation of the country towards a Just Kazakhstan, making a significant contribution to the global human rights landscape. Bakytbekkyzy highlighted the successful operation of the Committee for the Return of Illegally Acquired Assets to the State, which includes representatives from the government, law enforcement agencies, parliamentarians, and public figures.

Additionally, the Consul General informed European partners that in the past two years alone, approximately USD 2.2 billion has been returned to Kazakhstan's state budget, including USD 589 million from abroad. These funds were directed towards social needs, including the construction of schools for children.

Established in 1999, the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) is an anti-corruption body of the Council of Europe, focusing on improving methods of combating corruption and monitoring compliance with the Organization's standards. The Group comprises 49 states. Kazakhstan has been a member of GRECO since January 2020.