RAI Welcomes the EU’s First Comprehensive Anti-Corruption Directive

The Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) welcomes the historic agreement on the European Union’s first-ever comprehensive Anti-Corruption Directive, marking a major step forward in strengthening integrity, accountability, and the rule of law across Europe.

The Directive establishes a unified EU framework by harmonising definitions of corruption-related criminal offences, including bribery in the public and private sectors, misappropriation, obstruction of justice, trading in influence, and illicit enrichment. It also introduces minimum penalty thresholds, strengthens corporate liability, reinforces prevention and enforcement mechanisms, and enhances protection for whistleblowers.

As an intergovernmental organization working closely with its member countries—both EU Member States and EU candidate countries—RAI strongly supports this important legislative development. The Directive addresses long-standing fragmentation in EU anti-corruption legislation and provides a clearer, more consistent basis for cross-border cooperation and effective enforcement.

The agreement, proposed by the European Commission in May 2023 and reached between the European Parliament and the Council in December 2025, requires Member States to transpose the Directive into national law within a defined implementation period following its formal adoption.

RAI considers this Directive a key reference framework for future anti-corruption reforms. In line with its mandate, RAI will integrate the Directive’s standards into its regional activities, policy guidance, capacity-building efforts, and project deliverables, with particular attention to supporting EU accession countries in aligning national frameworks with EU requirements.

By strengthening national anti-corruption bodies, improving whistleblower protection, and enhancing cooperation among EU institutions and law enforcement authorities, the Directive represents a significant advancement in Europe’s collective fight against corruption. RAI remains committed to supporting its effective implementation and to fostering regional cooperation based on shared standards, trust, and practical solutions.