The High Authority exchanges with Bosnian judges and Slovak parliamentarians

On March 18th, 2021, the High Authority took part in a webinar organized by Expertise France in the framework of the EU4Justice project, funded by the European Commission. The webinar aimed at raising awareness of Bosnian judges on the High Authority’s missions of control and prevention of conflict of interest. Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently considering a law on conflict of interest, an important step in the country’s accession process to the European Union.

Deputy Secretary General Alice Bossière welcomed the participants to the webinar. Tim Caron, international relations officer, then presented the missions of the High Authority. Sébastien Margotte, director of the public official control division, expanded upon the controls of the High Authority.

On March 26th, 2021, the High Authority was heard by the National Council of the Slovak Republic, the country’s unicameral parliament. In the context of the Slovak National Anti-Corruption Plan, a working group has been set up under the Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the Parliament to improve the system of declaration of assets of public officials.

Marie Lintzer, head of international partnerships, presented the missions of the High Authority. Sébastien Margotte then specified the procedures and tools for controlling declarations of assets and interests of public officials. Parliamentarians, representatives of ministries, as well as representatives from the private sector and NGOs seized the opportunity of this hearing to ask many questions. The High Authority touched upon its exchanges with declarants, its cooperation with the judiciary, the tax administration and the Parliament, the incompatibilities of professional activities, the control of conflicts of interest of parliamentarians and new members of the government.

The High Authority welcomes such opportunities to share its experience with foreign authorities in their work to strengthen public integrity systems.