Η αντιμετώπιση της Απάτης και της Διαφθοράς στην Ελληνική Δημόσια Διοίκηση μέσα από τη συμμετοχή των εκπροσώπων της σε ευρωπαϊκά όργανα και διεθνείς οργανισμούς. Μελέτη περίπτωσης: Η συμμετοχή της Ελλάδας στη GRECO.

Abstract

The present thesis examines how Greek Public Administration faces fraud and corruption through its representatives’ participation in European institutions and international organizations that are responsible for combating those two phenomena. At the same time there is an extensive reference to the function and responsibilities of the Group of States against Corruption, GRECO (Groupe d'États contre la corruption) founded in 1999 by the Council of Europe. The main goal of this thesis is to present the added value for Greek Public Administration through the above interaction in order to fight effectively against fraud and corruption. Firstly, it was conducted a thorough review using international and Greek bibliography, national legislation and institutional documents of international and European organizations about fraud and corruption within Public Administration. The acquired statistics are not the result of a primary investigation and were obtained from the above-mentioned sources or from the Internet. In addition, part of the listed data concerning the Group of States against Corruption and its operation were drawn from interviews conducted with members of Greece's four-member representation in GR ECO. In particular, the first chapter attempts to define the terms of fraud and corruption, listing their most important definition in the international and Greek bibliography, as well as their content in national legislation and in the various institutional documents of the examined organizations. The thesis introduces a theoretical approach to the term fraud and the causes/conditions that favor its development and escalation. Moreover, the term of corruption within the academia and its definition by national, European and international institutions were examined, as well as the connection between corruption and maladministration was cited. The first chapter concludes by listing the most widespread indicators of corruption. The second chapter focuses on tackling fraud and corruption at national and supranational level, through establishing action mechanisms and institutions with specific responsibilities. More specifically, theoretical approaches are set out in order to unravel the reason behind fraud and corruption development, as well as the preventing role of the state against these two phenomena. In addition, it was cited the characteristics of Hellenic Public Administration, which have created suitable conditions for the development of misconduct, and the establishment of audit bodies and services against them. In addition, the current thesis focuses on the description of the fight against corruption at European and international level through the main institutional documents of the European bodies and international organizations (European Union, O.E.C.D., United Nations and Council of Europe). Furthermore, an extensive study was made not only for the supranational action mechanisms and the role of the above-mentioned organizations, but also their cooperation with Hellenic Public Administration and the gained benefits of public sector throughout this interaction. The main focus of the third chapter is a case study on the GRECO by describing its function, responsibilities and evaluation procedures (evaluation rounds) in order to fight corruption. Particularly, emphasis is given on the participation and representation of Greece in the GRECO, the interaction between the GRECO and Hellenic Public Administration, and their cooperation. It was also conducted interviews with Greek representatives in GRECO, in order to highlight the gained benefits from the interaction between Greek Public sector and the Group of States Against Corruption. The fourth chapter presents the arising problems from the extensive phenomena of fraud and corruption as well as assesses the added value of the participation of Public Administration representatives in the international and European institutions in tackling effectively corruption and fraud at national and supranational level. Finally, the thesis concludes with the prospects of the operational effectiveness upgrade within Greek Public Administration. The conclusions are expected to reinforce Greek public Administration’s participation in international organisations responsible for tackling fraud and corruption as well as enhance public sector’s extroversion.