 | |
.jpg) EPPO headquarters in Luxembourg City. | |
| Body overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2017 |
| Jurisdiction | European Union |
| Headquarters | Kirchberg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg |
| Body executive |
|
| Website | www |
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) is an independent body of the European Union (EU) with a juridical personality, established under the Treaty of Lisbon between 24 of the 27 states of the EU following the method of enhanced cooperation.[1][2] The EPPO was established as a response to the need for a prosecutorial body to combat crimes affecting the financial interests of the European Union (EU).[3] The idea of establishing the EPPO gained momentum with a legislative proposal put forth by the European Commission in 2013.[4] After lengthy negotiations and discussions within the European Council, the European Parliament, and Member States, Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 was adopted on October 12, 2017, formalizing the creation of the EPPO.[4] The EPPO Regulation is the EPPO's legal basis, as it outlines the objectives, structure, jurisdiction, and operational procedures.[5] Directive (EU) 2017/1371, also known as the PIF Directive, specifies the criminal offences affecting the EU's financial interest falling under the EPPO's jurisdiction.[6] The EPPO's primary mandate is to investigate and prosecute offences such as fraud, corruption, and money laundering that harm the financial interests of the EU, as defined by the PIF Directive.[7] The EPPO represents a significant step towards a more integrated and effective approach to combating transnational crimes within the EU, fostering collaboration and coordination among member states to protect the Union's financial resources.[8] As an independent EU body, the EPPO plays a crucial role in ensuring the rule of law and safeguarding the integrity of the EU's financial system.[9] The EPPO is based in Kirchberg, Luxembourg City alongside the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the European Court of Auditors (ECA).[10][11]
- ^ "20 EU nations back plan for EU prosecutor's office". Fox News. 8 June 2017. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- ^ "Members | European Public Prosecutor's Office". www.eppo.europa.eu. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "Understanding the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO)". Think Tank European Parliament. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Background". The independent public prosecution office of the EU. European Public Prosecutors Office. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ "Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 October 2017 on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (the EPPO Regulation) [2017] OJ L 283/1".
- ^ "Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2017 on the fight against fraud to the Union's financial interests by means of criminal law (the PIF Directive) [2017] OJ L 198/29".
- ^ "Article 4, Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 October 2017 on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (the EPPO Regulation) [2017] OJ L 283/1".
- ^ Vecino, Clara (22 November 2023). "The EPPO: Vanguard in the Battle Against Cross-Border Financial Fraud and Pillar of Judicial Europeanisation". Eyes on Europe. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ Mitsilegas, Valsamis (2 April 2021). "European prosecution between cooperation and integration: The European Public Prosecutor's Office and the rule of law". Maastricht Journal of European and Comparative Law. 28 (2): 254–264. doi:10.1177/1023263X211005933. S2CID 233390442.
- ^ Brenton, Hannah (9 May 2019). "Europe's first public prosecutor to be housed in Kirchberg tower". luxtimes.lu. Archived from the original on 25 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
- ^ Tasch, Barbara (8 June 2017). "New European Public Prosecutor's Office to be based in Luxembourg". luxtimes.lu. Archived from the original on 25 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.