A delegation from the Special Investigation Service (STT) is on a working visit to the France, which is holding Presidency of the EU Council this semester. During the visit, a memorandum of cooperation was signed with the French Anti-Corruption Agency (AFA). Meetings with other French authorities were held too – STT delegation met with representatives of the National Financial Public Prosecutor’s Office (PNF), Central Office for the Fight against Corruption, Financial and Tax Offences (OCLCIFF), High Authority for transparency in public life (HATVP), Agency for the Recovery and Management of Seized and Confiscated Assets (AGRASC), General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN), General inspectorate of the French national Gendarmerie (IGGN), as well as with the Lithuanian Embassy in France and the Lithuanian Permanent Representation to the OECD.
STT Director Žydrūnas Bartkus and AFA Director Charles Duchaine, signing this memorandum, were pleased that both Lithuania and France are willing to cooperate in the area of anticorruption, integrity and transparency.
"Similar challenges, accumulated experience and successful implementation of various projects and new technologies through cooperation can bring much more benefits. We are not alone in seeking to create an anticorruption environment in Lithuania; other European countries also have similar goals. Thus, exchanging experience, especially with countries with a leading position, is crucial,” said Žydrūnas Bartkus. Signing the memorandum, Charles Duchaine emphasized that "the Special Investigation Service is a dynamic and innovative institution, we have every reason to start an effective cooperation".
The signed memorandum of cooperation between STT and AFA commits to exchanging experience between Lithuania and France, sharing information on corruption risks, best practices in corruption prevention, anticorruption education and awareness-raising. The authorities of both countries intend to exchange information related to the prevention and detection of corruption, including bribery of foreign public officials in international business transactions. In order to strengthen cooperation, it is planned to organize various forums, seminars, meetings and conferences together.
French Anti-Corruption Agency (AFA) was established in 2016. It reports to the Ministries of Justice and Finance. It carries out advisory, assistance and control missions. The main functions of AFA are to prepare a multi-annual anticorruption plan, to assist private and public legal entities in preventing and detecting corruption, monitor the quality of prevention systems in public and private companies, participate in detection of bribery, extortion, misappropriation of public funds, trading in influence and favoritism.
