THE OECD Working Group on Bribery has just completed its report on Greece's implementation of the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and related instruments. The risk of Greek companies bribing foreign officials is substantial, but Greece has not given the same priority to fighting foreign bribery as it has to domestic corruption. This sends an unfortunate message that foreign bribery is an acceptable means to win overseas business and improve Greece's economy during an economic crisis. Greece must therefore urgently raise the priority of fighting foreign bribery and explicitly address foreign bribery in its national anti-corruption strategies.
The report also notes some positive developments. Greece has reduced duplicate legislative provisions and clarified ambiguities in its foreign bribery offence. The maximum fines for foreign bribery have been raised, though further increases are necessary. The Public Prosecutor against Crimes of Corruption has been given an important role in investigations and prosecutions. Greece has clarified how foreign bribery investigators can obtain information protected by tax secrecy. A new Ministry of Anti-Corruption was created in January 2015. The Working Group will follow up whether and how this Ministry impacts Greece's fight against foreign bribery.
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