The Guideline on Preventing Corruption in the Federal Administration of 30 July 2004 (GL) defines the legal framework for the tasks of preventing corruption at the headquarters of the Federal Foreign Office and at the diplomatic missions abroad. The GL aims to provide understandable and, by means of few rules, a guideline for an integrity, fair and transparent administrative action.

Ethical principles and the rejection of corruption should be firmly anchored in the diplomatic missions of the employees at the headquarters of the Federal Foreign Office and the posted workers and local staff. Important concerns of corruption prevention at the headquarters of the Federal Foreign Office and at the diplomatic missions abroad include sensitizing employees to the issue, protecting against possible corruption risks and maintaining high ethical standards as an integral part of all administrative acts.

Rewards, personal gifts or other benefits

The principle applies: Prohibition of acceptance!

Without the consent of the service, employees at the Federal Foreign Office headquarters, as well as the posted workers and local staff at the diplomatic missions, may not accept rewards, gifts or other benefits in relation to their office. All other provisions can be found in the circular of the Federal Ministry of the Interior on the prohibition of accepting rewards or gifts in the federal administration of 08.11.2004 and the relevant circulars in the Foreign Office. For further information and answers to frequently asked questions, please refer to the question and answer catalog on the topic of accepting rewards, gifts or other benefits (grants), prepared by the Federal Ministry of Economics and the Initiative on the prevention of corruption between the Federal Administration and industry (see below).

You can also address questions and information on the subject of corruption prevention at the Federal Foreign Office to the Representative for Corruption Prevention at the Federal Foreign Office.