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05/05/2011 - OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría welcomed the recent signing into law by Russian President Dimitri Medvedev of legislation that criminalises foreign bribery, with monetary sanctions for companies and individuals who bribe foreign public officials.

“We welcome this significant step that Russia is taking in the fight against corruption,” said Mr Gurría. “It sends a clear signal of Russia's commitment to upgrade their effort in the fight against international corruption. It also paves the way for Russia to join the OECD’s Anti-Bribery Convention and become a member of the OECD’s Working Group on Bribery. This may take place at our 50th Anniversary Week and Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris on 25 and 26 May.”

Russia asked to join the Convention in February 2009. Since then, the OECD Working Group on Bribery—made up of representatives from the 38 Convention countries—has worked with Russian officials to improve and strengthen Russia’s legal framework against the bribery of foreign public officials in international business transactions. The OECD Council, the OECD's highest decision-making body, will discuss Russia's request to join the next few days.

For further information on the OECD’s work on corruption and the Anti-Bribery Convention, journalists should contact Mary Crane-Charef of the Anti-Corruption Division (tel. + 33 1 45 24 97 04) or visit www.oecd.org/daf/nocorruption