International newsletter of the HATVP – September – October 2025
IN SUMMARY
September was marked by Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address to the European Parliament, and the entry into force of the Ukrainian law on lobbying.
In October, the plenary meeting of the European Network for Publics Ethics was held in Budapest, and the third plenary meeting of the European Union Anti-Corruption Network took place in Brussels.
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
European Commission
On 10 September 2025, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, delivered a State of the Union address before the European Parliament. She reiterated the importance of strengthening the democratic foundations of the EU. Alongside this State of the Union address, the President of the Commission sent a letter of intent to Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, and to Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark (currently holding the Presidency of the Council). Among the measures the Commission plans to adopt in the coming year, the letter mentions the adoption of an anti-corruption strategy. (European Commission, 10 September 2025)
European Public Prosecutor’s Office
On 2 October, the European Chief Prosecutor, Laura Kövesi, spoke in Athens, at the premises of the Greek customs authorities. She called on Greece to implement a constitutional reform to lift ministers’ immunity in corruption cases. The Chief Prosecutor also urged Greece to allocate more resources to support the work of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in the country. These statements were made while the EPPO is conducting several operations in Greece, including “Operation Calypso”, aimed at curbing illicit trafficking in ports, characterized by VAT and customs duty fraud. (Reuters, 2 October 2025)
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Council of Europe
The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) published its follow-up report on Portugal as part of the fifth evaluation round concerning the prevention of corruption and the promotion of integrity within central governments (senior executive functions) and law-enforcement agencies. The report highlights Portugal’s progress (18 recommendations partially implemented, 10 still to be implemented). GRECO notes positive developments, including the operational establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Mechanism and the Transparency Entity, as well as the adoption of a code of conduct for the new government. Among the issues requiring further progress, GRECO stresses the importance of advancing the bill regulating lobbying. The draft law is currently under debate in the Portuguese Parliament. (Council of Europe, 2 September 2025)
GRECO published a follow-up report as part of the fifth evaluation round for Slovakia. The report indicates that five recommendations have been fully implemented, four partially implemented, and twelve not implemented. The publication comes as the Slovak government has adopted a Manifesto for government authorities for the 2023–2027 period, considering several measures that would respond to GRECO’s recommendations. (Council of Europe, 4 September 2025)
On 16 September, GRECO published a follow-up report in the framework of the fifth evaluation round for Cyprus. GRECO had issued 22 recommendations to Cyprus. The report welcomes the reforms carried out by Nicosia, which has implemented 6 recommendations and partially implemented 16, with only 3 remaining unimplemented. (Council of Europe, 16 September 2025)
European Network for Public Ethics
On 16–17 October, the annual plenary meeting of the European Network for Public Ethics—created in 2022 and now comprising 15 members and 4 observers—was held in Budapest. Network members, along with experts from the OECD, the European Commission, and civil society, exchanged views on managing conflicts of interest, the use of technological solutions to control conflicts of interest, and awareness-raising measures promoting integrity. (HATVP, 11 November 2025)
EU Anti-Corruption Network
On 15 October, the European Commission hosted in Brussels the third plenary meeting of the EU Anti-Corruption Network, launched in 2023. The High Authority participated in the event. National authorities from EU Member States, civil society representatives, researchers, and delegates from EU agencies and international organisations attended. The event fostered exchanges of good practices and reflections on the fight against corruption within the EU. This plenary meeting took place as the European Commission prepares to publish its European anti-corruption strategy. (European Commission, 17 October 2025)
EUROPE
Ukraine
The Ukrainian law on interest representation, adopted in 2024, entered into force on 1 September 2025. The register of interest representatives is now open. Under Ukrainian law, lobbyists must register with the National Agency on Corruption Prevention before undertaking any activity. The law also provides exceptions for certain activities (media communications or electronic communications) and types of organisations (associations and NGOs). (Open Government Partnerships, 1 September 2025)
Albania
On Thursday 11 September, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the appointment of a minister managed by artificial intelligence (AI), responsible for a portfolio including the management of public procurement. The initiative is presented as a means of combating corruption in this sector, while Albania continues the institutional reforms required for progress in its EU accession process. Although the announcement has raised questions in Albania and the international press, the Prime Minister has continued his digitalisation project, announcing the upcoming deployment of 83 AI-generated parliamentary assistants. (Reuters, 12 September 2025)