10th October 2024

EU network against corruption meets in The Hague to discuss revolving doors and stricter transparency rules of lobbying

On the 10th of October 2024, the eight national meeting under the newly created EU network against corruption took place in The Netherlands at the premises of the European Commission Representation in The Hague.

As part of the EU network against corruption the Commission hosts national meetings to provide an opportunity for EU Member States' anti-corruption stakeholders to engage in dialogue and raise awareness on anti-corruption issues. The EU network against corruption, set up as part of the EU anti-corruption adopted on 3 May 2023, brings together national authorities, practitioners, civil society, international organisations, EU agencies and relevant services of the European Commission. 

This meeting in The Hague focussed on revised rules on revolving doors and stricter transparency rules of lobbying, as the Dutch chapter of the 2024 Rule of Law Report highlighted the need for this.

The meeting started with a brief introduction by the Commission Representation in the Netherlands. This was followed by an introduction of the Dutch Country Chapter of the Rule of Law Report 2023 and key recommendations by a representative of the European Commission. 

In small groups participants discussed questions about corruption, for example: How can the Netherlands enhance its approach to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting corruption? Answers to the question where then clustered into groups, to be discussed by the participants in a second round. The topics of these groups were the communication of the Rule of Law Report, personal accountability and advancing anti-corruption policies in the Netherlands within the existing frameworks and without incurring additional capacity costs. A final round was held to provide feedback on the format and content of the workshop.

In conclusion, the workshop facilitated discussions on the integrity of public officials and the enhancement of anti-corruption measures in the Netherlands. Participants identified key challenges, including the need for clearer regulatory frameworks and a broader definition of corruption and integrity. The solutions proposed included developing a comprehensive communication plan for the Rule of Law Report, fostering personal accountability among officials, and implementing a coordinated national anti-corruption programme. The interactive format was well-received, encouraging engagement and collaboration among participants.