New laws to fight corruption called for

Corruption is an insidious phenomenon that needs updated laws likely to uproot its causes, the Moroccan economic affairs and economy upgrading minister said.

The anti-corruption struggle should be permanent and founded on efficiency and economic profitability in the service of the population's welfare, Abderrazzak El Mossaddaq, told the World Forum on Corruption, held last week in Seoul, South Korea.

Such a preventive approach should be coupled with legal arsenals to reprimand this behaviour, said the minister, who described corruption as a criminal act. For these sanctions to be efficient and fair, the official stressed the need to enforce a sound and transparent management of public and private sectors as well as international economic relations.

Morocco said it backs the creation of an international network of fight corruption, a network that should, however, respect States' sovereignty.

The Seoul meeting was held in presence of representatives of 140 countries to debate corruption and related crimes, such as organized crime and money laundering.