ABOUT EPAC/EACN

About

The European Partners against Corruption (EPAC) and European contact-point network against corruption (EACN) are independent forums for practitioners, united in the common goal of preventing and combating corruption. While EPAC has been in existence since 2004, EACN was founded in 2008, modelled after EPAC. EPAC is composed of anti-corruption authorities and police oversight bodies from Council of Europe Member Countries. EACN, a more formal network established by a decision of the Council of the European Union, brings together anti-corruption authorities from European Union Member States. The two networks mostly work together as one, given their equal mission and goals. Most anti-corruption authorities are also in fact members of both. With the overall objective of strengthening cooperation, EPAC/EACN provide a platform for practitioners to exchange expertise and information in the sphere of anti-corruption and police oversight, assist each other, and advocate the implementation of international legal instruments. They recognize the importance of safeguarding the independence of both police oversight bodies and anti-corruption authorities in accordance with fundamental principles of national legal systems. In all matters, the networks observe the standards of independence, impartiality, legitimacy, accountability, transparency and accessibility. EPAC/EACN have a strong commitment to promoting effective systems of policing and anti-corruption work, which adhere to ethical standards and ensure respect for the rule of law and human rights. Every year, EPAC/EACN hold a professional conference and likewise have a variety of working groups operating throughout the year. English is EPAC/EACN’s only official language. Finances are based on voluntary contributions from members, observers, official international programmes, and other sources. Finances are based on voluntary contributions from members, observers, as well as EU funding or other sources.

EPAC

The European Partners against Corruption (EPAC) is an independent, informal network bringing together more than 70 anti-corruption authorities and police oversight bodies from Council of Europe Member Countries. Of diverse origin, they have different kinds of competences and varied legal forms. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is also a member, whereas the authority of Kosovo enjoys observer status. EPAC offers a medium for practitioners to share experiences, identify opportunities, and cooperate across national borders in developing common strategies and high professional standards. Every year, EPAC members organize a professional conference, together with EACN since 2008, and have a number of working groups operating throughout the year. The network was initiated in 2001 under the auspices of the Belgian Presidency of the European Union. Twenty-five heads of police oversight bodies representing the 15 European Union Member States of the time recognized the necessity of increased police oversight cooperation as a way of better addressing shared challenges and finding unified responses. As a first step, they decided to convene for meetings on an annual basis. In 2004, ten additional countries joined the European Union. In the process of incorporating the acquis communautaire into their legislation, the new Member States established specialized anti-corruption authorities which, to some extent, became mandated with police oversight and preventing and combating corruption. From this point forward, anti-corruption authorities were also granted a mandate within EPAC alongside police oversight bodies. The network was officially inaugurated during the AGIS conference on the Enhancement of Operational Cooperation in Fighting Corruption in the European Union, held in Vienna, Austria, in November 2004. After the European Union’s enlargement in 2007, Bulgarian and Romanian authorities also joined the network. In 2009, the EPAC Constitution was unanimously adopted during the Annual Professional Conference in Nova Gorica, Slovenia. In addition to the 27 European Union Member States of the time, EPAC membership was opened to anti-corruption authorities and police oversight bodies from Council of Europe Member Countries. Authorities from Albania, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway and Serbia, having been observers before, became members.

EACN

The European contact-point network against corruption (EACN) is a formal network comprising over 50 anti-corruption authorities from European Union Member States. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is also a member. EACN was formally established by a European Council decision in 2008, to be based on the existing structures of the European Partners against Corruption (EPAC). The network was set up to improve cooperation between authorities mandated with the prevention of and fight against corruption in the European Union, as well as to foster closer relations between Member States and the European institutions. It affords a platform for the exchange of EU-related information on effective measures and experiences, identifying opportunities, and collaboration in developing common strategies and high professional standards. During EPAC’s 2004 Annual Professional Conference, which took place in Vienna, Austria, EPAC supported the launch of a more formal European anti-corruption network. In compliance with the instructions given by The Hague Programme Action Plan, the Austrian EU Presidency of the time, along with six other Member States, launched an initiative for a Council decision to establish this network. EPAC members again endorsed this initiative at their annual meeting in Budapest, Hungary in November 2006. The idea was revived in 2008 by the then German EU Presidency, resulting in the adoption of European Council Decision 2008/852/JHA of 24 October 2008, formally establishing EACN, based on EPAC structures. Together with EPAC, EACN members have convened for annual conferences since 2008, and have had a variety of working groups operating throughout the years. Members of EACN are also entitled to meet separately on specific European Union issues and projects, particularly within the framework of the General Assembly. In 2009, the EPAC Constitution was unanimously adopted in the course of the Annual Professional Conference held in Nova Gorica, Slovenia. Alongside it, the Conference also adopted Additional Provisions on EACN.