On 22 October 2026, GRECO’s President David Meyer joined the Annual Plenary of the EU Network Against Corruption, introducing the day together with Michael McGrath, EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Irena Moozová, Deputy Director-General, DG Justice and Consumers, and Giuseppe Lopez, Head of the European Financial and Economic Centre, Europol.

Mr Meyer highlighted that corruption is a “threat to democratic security” that can open to state capture, and that integrity is an essential part of the democratic “infrastructure.” He further stressed that corruption risks have evolved: public decision-making must not only be protected against criminal bribery, but also against the less visible forms of influence that can undermine integrity without necessarily breaking the law.

According to Mr Meyer, “Europe needs one yardstick for integrity.” European standards are strongest when they are shared by all and most credible when those who set them are also ready to be measured by them. He welcomed the development of the EU’s first Anti-Corruption Strategy, to which GRECO contributed, and wished for a full participation of the EU in GRECO in the future.