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Press release11 February 2021European Anti-Fraud Office

OLAF and the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine conclude cooperation arrangement

11/02/2021

PRESS RELEASE No 6/2021

PDF version (523.49 KB)

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine have signed an administrative cooperation arrangement aimed at protecting the EU’s financial interests against fraud and other illegal activities.

The arrangement was signed in Brussels in the margins of the EU-Ukraine Association Council by OLAF Director General Ville Itälä and the Prosecutor General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova and provides a framework for the two offices to work together on fighting fraud and other illegal activities involving the EU’s financial interests. 

Mr Itälä said: “OLAF and the Prosecutor General’s Office have already worked together in the past, and this new arrangement is a clear indication of the willingness on both sides to continue and enhance the exchange of information. I am sure it will lead to many successful cases of cooperation in the years to come.” 

Ms Venediktova said: “The cooperation arrangement shows the determination of both the General Prosecutor's Office and OLAF to keep up their shared fight against fraud concerning the EU budget. I am convinced that the Prosecutor General’s Office and OLAF will work together efficiently and in the spirit of good cooperation."

The arrangement will allow for a more effective and targeted exchange of information between OLAF and the Ukraine’s General Prosecutor’s Office, respecting the relevant rules on confidentiality and data protection. 

Background

OLAF’s administrative cooperation arrangements do not create or modify any rights or obligations under national or European Union law. In turn, they provide a practical framework for cooperation with relevant authorities in non-EU countries and territories as well with international organisations, for example by designating respective contact points. OLAF has around 40 such arrangements in place with partners around the globe.

OLAF mission, mandate and competences:
OLAF’s mission is to detect, investigate and stop fraud with EU funds.    

OLAF fulfils its mission by:
•    carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
•    contributing to strengthening citizens’ trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
•    developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.

In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:
•    all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;
•    some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;
•    suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.

For further details:

Jana CAPPELLO
Spokesperson
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) 
Phone: +32(0)2 29-85549
Email: olaf-mediaatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) 
http://ec.europa.eu/anti-fraud
Twitter: @OLAFPress

Chris JONES
Deputy Spokesperson
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
Phone: +32(0)2 29-91606
Email: olaf-mediaatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
http://ec.europa.eu/anti-fraud
Twitter: @OLAFPress

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Details

Publication date
11 February 2021
Author
European Anti-Fraud Office
News type
OLAF press release