Communication on better protection of the Union’s financial interests: setting up the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and reforming Eurojust

This Communication introduces a package of legislative measures to enhance the institutional aspects of protecting the Union's financial interests – and thus taxpayers' money – in accordance with the Commission's policy established in 2011.

The package consists of a proposal for a Regulation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, and a proposal for a Regulation on the establishment of the European Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation ("Eurojust"). In addition, the package includes a Communication on OLAF's governance and the enhancement of procedural guaranties in investigations, in view of establishing the European Public Prosecutor's Office.

At a time when many Member States are implementing fiscal adjustments which place considerable burdens on many citizens, it is more important than ever to make sure that the European Union's financial interests – which are provided by the taxpayer – are effectively protected. By establishing the European Public Prosecutor's Office as proposed in this package, it will be possible to introduce for the first time an entity which will have the powers and the resources necessary to investigate, prosecute and bring cases of fraud and other illegal activities affecting the financial interests of the Union, whether national or cross-border, to courts.

It will overcome the functional limitations of the existing Union bodies and agencies because it will be a genuine investigation and prosecution body capable of acting throughout the Union in a uniform way.

• Primary Source

ESO Records

Protecting taxpayers’ money against fraud: Commission proposes European Public Prosecutor's Office and reinforces OLAF procedural guarantees http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-protecting-taxpayers-money-against-fraud-commission-proposes-european-public-prosecutors-office-and-reinforces-olaf-procedural-guarantees/

EU-wide prosecutor to launch own criminal investigations http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-wide-prosecutor-to-launch-own-criminal-investigations/

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