After a delay of a few months, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, a new body set up to fight EU fund fraud, will begin an investigation on Tuesday.^Is June to monitor the use of 7 750 billion of the stimulus plan to be distributed.

Its leader was welcomed by Laura Covezi, formerly head of the Romanian Anti-Corruption Prosecution “A historic moment”. “Our success is a question of the credibility of our union.”, They said the institution of this body is necessary “More than two decades of discussions” And “Difficult Political Debates”.

Its launch was uninterrupted. Initially scheduled for the end of 2020, this had to be postponed, as the 22 participating states were slow to appoint their own prosecutors. Two have not yet done so: Slovenia and Finland.

Name of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office Official Name Office of the European Prosecutor General – ഓഫീസ് European Public Prosecutor’s Office, In English, or EPPO – Working “Completely independent of the Commission and other EU institutions, institutions and member states”.

• What is the capacity of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office?

This important organization is responsible not only for prosecuting but also for prosecuting and prosecuting those responsible for crimes affecting the EU budget. An unprecedented power of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

The crimes in this category include corruption of European funds, embezzlement, cross-border VAT involving at least two member states, embezzlement of more than 10 million euros and money laundering.

The European Union estimates that cross-border VAT fraud alone costs between 30 and 60 billion euros a year. For other crimes, it is estimated at 500 500 million a year.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office plans to handle about 3,000 cases a year.

• Who is the European Public Prosecutor’s Office?

It includes a central level headquarters in Luxembourg. At its head, Laura Coveci, a college of around 22 prosecutors, for each participating state. Of the 27 EU countries, Hungary, Poland, Ireland, Sweden and Denmark are not partners.

She was sworn in in September and is overseeing the investigation and prosecution. These activities are carried out by the Deputy Prosecutors of the Member States.

• How do designated prosecutors work?

So far 88 deputy prosecutors have been appointed in 20 countries, enough to get the job done. In France 4. In Italy, 15. In Germany 11, there are five centers in Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg and Munich. They can work across the country, organize property confiscation, issue arrest warrants and initiate proceedings.

• Why is this necessary?

Countries find it difficult to investigate cross-border crimes. In order to get information from other states, they have to make MLA requests, which can sometimes take weeks when they are successful. Procedures no longer required in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. “We can make a phone call or send an email to our colleague in Slovakia or Italy., Explains German Deputy Prosecutor Marcus Paintinger. This is a great added value. “

The body needs more as the first funds of the massive recovery plan of 50 750 billion are due to be given to member states this summer.

floor “Implementation will be closely monitored [du plan] NextGenerationEU ”to ensure that all funds are used to help our economy cope with the crisis., Underscores the European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reindeer.

• Can the prosecution begin its work in the absence of Slovenian and Finnish designated prosecutors?

No problem though “Adversely affect the efficiency of our work”, Parquet floor work will begin. Laura Kovezi condemned “Lack of sincere cooperation” From Slovenia, the country that will take over the presidency of the European Union on the 1st^Is July.

The case prompted the resignation of Slovenian Justice Minister Lilijana Koslovic last week in protest of the government’s rejection of two nominations for conservative Prime Minister Janas Jansa by deputy prosecutors.