THE HAGUE A global anti-corruption forum opened in The Hague on Monday, with ministers and experts from around the world set to discuss possible new legal remedies to bolster the fight against corruption.

"Beating corruption means being transparent and accountable to the outside world," said Dutch Justice Minister Benk Korthals, host of the four-day Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity II.

Up to 2,000 delegates are expected to attend the event, organized in part by the Dutch Foreign Ministry, AFP reported.

Korthals said the event would be a "platform for all states to sit and reflect" on the best ways to fight corruption on all fronts.

The Dutch justice minister called for international cooperation but stressed that common efforts "should not be used as an excuse for doing nothing at the national level."

The forum is the follow-up to one held in Washington in February 1999, on the initiative of then U.S. vice president Al Gore.

The first focussed solely on law enforcement issues, but Dutch organizers say the forum in The Hague will look at corruption in a much broader context.

Workshops focused on law enforcement, customs, corruption in the private sector, and corruption and aid to developing countries are on the agenda for the four-day event.