Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Commission confirms Sweden’s entry into the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, enhancing efforts to combat fraud against the EU budget across 24 Member States by the end of 2024.
The European Commission assumed the decision affirming Sweden’s participation in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). This indicates that Sweden will officially join as of tomorrow. The EPPO will be able to begin its operations and examinations in Sweden 20 days after the designation of the European Prosecutor from Sweden by the EU Council, which is anticipated to take place in the Autumn.
What Role Does Věra Jourová Play in EPPO Expansion?
Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, stated: “Every time that a Member State joins our efforts under the European Public Prosecutor’s Office brings us a step closer to our shared goal: making sure that no euro is lost on criminals. It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that the EU budget is bulletproof against fraud and corruption, and it is only through working together that we can tackle a borderless challenge. We encourage those who have not yet joined the framework to do so as soon as possible”
What Are Didier Reynders’ Comments on Sweden’s Accession?
Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, stated: “I welcome today’s decision confirming Sweden’s participation in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. After Poland’s accession, this is yet another important development, for the Prosecutor and the Union as a whole. With 24 Member States participating in the enhanced cooperation, the Prosecutor’s role as the main actor in the fight against fraud affecting the Union budget will be further enhanced and EU taxpayers’ money better protected.”
Sweden formally informed the EU Commission of its intent to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office on 5 June 2024. Following today’s decision, the next actions to prepare for the operational beginning of the EPPO in Sweden will take place. By the end of 2024, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office will be able to analyse and prosecute fraud involving the Union funds in nearly 24 EU countries. This will further maintain its role as the Union prosecutor and, in turn, the protection of the Union budget.
What Crimes Does EPPO Investigate and Prosecute?
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is an autonomous public prosecution office of the European Union. It is answerable for investigating, prosecuting and carrying to judgment crimes against the economic interests of the EU. These include several types of imitation, VAT fraud with impairments above 10 million euros, money laundering, corruption, etc.
The EPPO launches investigations, carries out actions of prosecution and exercises the operations of the prosecutor in the qualified courts of the participating Member States until the case has been finally disposed of. Up until the EPPO began its operations, only national authorities could examine and prosecute these crimes, but their powers were controlled at the borders of their country. Organisations like Eurojust, OLAF and Europol do not have the essential powers to carry out such criminal inquiries and prosecutions.
Since beginning its operations on 1 June 2021, EPPO has reported more than 4000 crime reports from partaking EU Member States and private parties; over 929 investigations have been unfolded.
