The Council of Europe's Group of states against corruption (GRECO) has closed its fifth evaluation round concerning Slovenia in the light of the progress achieved in implementing recommendations on preventing corruption within senior central government positions and law-enforcement agencies.
In a report published today GRECO concludes that Slovenia has satisfactorily implemented or dealt with in a satisfactory manner 12 of the 15 recommendations addressed by GRECO to Slovenia in the evaluation report adopted in 2017. Three recommendations remain partly implemented, notably in areas related to financial transparency and oversight.
Police: all recommendations fully implemented
GRECO welcomes that all recommendations concerning the police have been fully implemented. This demonstrates the police's commitment to enhancing systemic solutions to reduce corruption risks, reinforce personnel integrity, strengthen the reputation of the policing profession and promote organisational integrity - all issues flagged in GRECO's evaluation.
Senior government roles: progress observed
As for individuals in senior government roles, progress has been observed: updated lobbying guidelines clarify legislative provisions, while the Commission for the prevention of corruption continues to play a key role in overseeing the implementation of lobbying rules, including maintaining the register, monitoring activities, raising awareness and enforcing compliance.
Some steps remain under way, such as measures to strengthen integrity and prevent conflicts of interest, including a draft protocol on the conduct of government members for the management of corruption risks and a new action plan for the implementation of the resolution on the prevention of corruption. Awareness-raising measures are also in preparation and well designed, including a requirement for all newly appointed public officials to undergo introductory training on ethics, integrity and transparency within six months of taking office. GRECO expects that these measures will be implemented shortly, as indicated by the authorities.
Improvements to transparency recommended
At the same time, further efforts are needed to enhance transparency and the verification of financial disclosures. GRECO has recommended ensuring timely publication of asset declarations and that substantive checking of these asset declarations be carried out by the Commission for the prevention of corruption. While taking note of the ongoing intention of the authorities to introduce legislative amendments that would enhance the current disclosure system, GRECO underlines that these plans have yet to materialise in practice and regrets the lack of progress regarding substantive verification of asset declarations.
GRECO has invited the Slovenian authorities to keep it informed of further developments and encourages continued efforts towards the full implementation of the remaining recommendations.
