The Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity II was opened on May 28, 2001 in the Hague. The event was a continuation of the forum on the same topic convened on the initiative of the USA four years ago. The four-day's Agenda consists of workshops on incorruptibility, the Customs, corruption in transition periods, and the government and the private sector relations.

3000 experts, 70 ministers, among which was the US Secretary of Justice Mr. John Ashcroft, from 190 countries took part in the conference, aimed to draft a treaty for combating corruption. The forum was being held within the framework of the UN. The Bulgarians attending the forum were Ambassador Kamen Velichkov and Mr. Boyko Todorov Director at CSD.

The Dutch Minister of Justice, Benk Korthals, addressed participants in his opening speech, emphasizing on the necessity of combining international cooperation efforts against corruption with measures to be followed on national level. The Netherlands is decided to establish the institution of the Special Public Prosecutor against corruption and preventive measures for the Judiciary. Together with Great Britain, Denmark and Sweden, the Netherlands insists UNO to convene an Anticorruption Convention, which is to be obligatory for its member-countries. The establishment of an International Information Center with database on transnational corruption issues will be of importance as well. Ms. Eveline Herfkens, Minister for Development Co-operation outlined the vision of her Government, defining four types of corruption - the small (administrative) one, corruption related to criminal circles, the one on macroeconomic level related to international aid and corruption on government level regarding hostages to economic groups.

An address by US President George W. Bush to forum participants outlined the intention of the new American administration to turn the struggle against corruption into a priority of its foreign policy.

(See the Agenda)