On 1 June, the long-awaited European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) was launched. The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament salutes this historic moment, which will improve the protection of the EU's financial interests and combat white-collar crime. The office will have the competence to investigate and prosecute infringements of the EU budget, such as fraud, corruption and serious cross-border VAT fraud over 10 million euros. Renew Europe has campaigned stubbornly to make this ground-breaking tool a reality, in order to tackle corruption and fraud related to European funds.

On the occasion of the launch, Renew Europe President Dacian Cioloş said:

“The launch of the EPPO is a truly historic moment for the European Union that Renew Europe has long campaigned for. The EPPO will open a new front in the battle against fraud and corruption related to EU funds. I trust that Laura Kövesi will fearlessly take on the organised criminals and corrupt politicians who seek to exploit EU taxpayers’ money for their own ends. Tough questions should be directed to those politicians who continue to try to undermine the operation of the EPPO in their own Member States.”

Ramona Strugariu MEP (USR, RO), Member of the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, added:

“EPPO is the most important achievement of the European Union in the fight against corruption and fraud. Every single Member State and European institution must honour this commitment and ensure that EPPO is equipped to do so. I am confident that we will succeed and that the citizens of the European Union and our justice systems will have this powerful tool at their disposal, protecting and serving their interest. Good luck to Laura Codruța Kövesi and her excellent team.”

At the same time, Renew Europe expressed its concerns about the two nominations for the Slovenian European Delegated Prosecutor's that were cancelled on unclear grounds last week by the Slovenian government. It is of the utmost importance that the prosecutors are appointed swiftly and without any political interference. 

Photo credit: © European Union 2020 - Source : EP