Corruption is one of society's most widespread and insidious evils. It is estimated that there are hundreds of billions of euros’ worth of corrupt transactions every year.

The Council of Europe takes a three-pronged approach to combating corruption, but the three aspects are closely interlinked: the drafting of European rules and standards, the monitoring of compliance with these, and the provision through technical co-operation programmes of targeted assistance to countries and regions.

There are now several Council of Europe legal instruments relating to corruption, and monitoring these is the responsibility of the Group of States against Corruption, also known as GRECO.

GRECO also helps to identify deficiencies in national anti-corruption policies and encourages states to make the requisite legislative, institutional and practical reforms. It also offers a forum for the sharing of best practice in the prevention and detection of corruption.

Membership of GRECO is not confined to Council of Europe member states. Regular increases in the number of participants provide further evidence of its success. The group currently has 46 members (45 European states and the United States of America).