Brussels, 16 July 2024
Today, the Commission adopted the decision confirming Sweden’s participation in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). This means that Sweden will officially join as of tomorrow. The EPPO will be able to start its operations and investigations in Sweden 20 days after the appointment of the European Prosecutor from Sweden by the Council, which is expected to take place in the Autumn.
Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, said:
“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”
Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, said:
“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 had formally notified the Commission of its intention to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office on 5 June 2024. Following today’s decision, the next steps to prepare for the operational start of the EPPO in Sweden will take place. By the end of 2024, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office will be able to investigate and prosecute fraud affecting the Union funds in nearly 24 EU countries. This will further strengthen its role as the Union prosecutor and, in turn, the protection of the Union budget.
Source – EU Commission
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Swedish Government: More effective law enforcement through Sweden’s participation in EPPO
Published
The Government today decided to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation regarding amendments necessary for Sweden to able to take part in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
“We must cut off criminal finances, both in Sweden and at EU level. Since organised crime is cross-border in nature, the fight against crime must also know no boundaries. Swedish membership in EPPO will provide better opportunities for more effective cooperation in the fight against crime, in reclaiming crime profits and safeguarding Swedish taxpayers’ money. The Government has today taken an important step for Sweden to be able to join the EPPO,” says Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer.
The EPPO plays a key role in investigating and prosecuting crimes against the EU’s financial interests. These can include fraud, money laundering, corruption and bribery. Even certain cross-border tax offences involving VAT – which involves total damages amounting to at least EUR 10 million – are included within the competence of the EPPO.
Swedish participation in the EPPO requires the introduction of Swedish legislation that supplements the Regulation establishing the EPPO. The Government therefore proposes a new act regulating the status and powers of prosecutors so that EPPO prosecutors will fit into the Swedish system.
The Government also proposes amendments to current legislation so as to ensure that European prosecutors have access to all relevant information in national databases for criminal investigations and law enforcement on the same terms as national prosecutors.
It is proposed that the legislative amendments enter into force on the date determined by the Government, with the aim of this being done as soon as possible in 2024.
Source – Government of Sweden