Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-12-13-Speech-3-138"
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"en.20001213.4.3-138"2
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".
We have voted for the introduction of new instruments that will provide substantially better protection of the Community’s funds. We believe in the first instance that it is a good idea to supplement the OLAF scheme by setting up a unit under OLAF. This unit is to head investigations and ease prosecution proceedings in the national courts. The unit is only to be involved with criminality committed by EU employees. Such a prosecuting authority under OLAF is necessary because experience shows that far too often no prosecution follows from OLAF’s work. It is often not clear in which country a case is to be brought and difficult procedures for the exchange of evidence mean that the case often lapses under the statute of limitations or is dropped. Unfortunately inter-state cooperation is not sufficient. The inter-state anti-fraud conventions are not ratified. There are still five Member States that have not ratified the Convention for the protection of the EU’s financial interests of 1995, for example.
In the longer term, one should therefore consider the introduction of a European Public Prosecutor, who would take care of the prosecution proceedings in connection with fraud involving EU funds in the Member States. At the moment, the Member States do not do enough to combat fraud involving EU funds. Moreover, 80% of cases of fraud are cross-border cases. Here prosecution is often problematic. There are major differences as regards the definition of illegal acts and penalties as well as with regard to procedure, rules on evidence and the authority of the prosecuting authority to carry out checks. It is to be feared that the problem will become worse with the removal of the borders that has given organised crime even greater freedom of movement. The fraudsters will seek out those countries that have the least protection. Consequently, we must establish the necessary instruments for more effective combating of fraud involving EU funds as soon as possible."@en1
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