Setting standards in the fight against corruption

Corruption threatens the rule of law, democracy and human rights, undermines good governance, fairness and social justice, distorts competition, hinders economic development and endangers the stability of democratic institutions and the moral foundations of society.

The approach of the Council of Europe in the fight against corruption consists of three interrelated elements: the setting of European norms and standards, monitoring of compliance with the standards and, finally, capacity building offered to individual countries and regions, through technical co-operation programmes.

The monitoring of compliance with these standards is entrusted to the Group of States against Corruption, otherwise known as GRECO.