While this Directive fully respects all relevant provisions of national constitutions, constitutional principles and laws, it is emphasised that unduly shielding individuals –particularly those holding public office – from accountability for corruption offences might undermine public trust in a manner incompatible with the objectives of this Directive.
Text as published in the Official Journal, reproduced verbatim (including any typographical quirks of the source). For the authentic version, see EUR-Lex.