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Press release10 July 2015European Anti-Fraud Office

OLAF strengthens cooperation with two African partners

10/07/2015

PRESS RELEASE N°11/2015
10 July 2015
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The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is further strengthening its cooperation with two of its African partners. On 8 July, the Office signed cooperation arrangements with authorities from Senegal and Angola. The arrangements will facilitate cooperation in anti-fraud investigations concerning development aid provided by the European Union to the two countries.

The new Administrative Cooperation Arrangements (ACAs) were concluded with the Office national de lutte contre la fraude et la corruption (OFNAC) from Senegal and the Office of the Inspector General (IGEA) from Angola. The signature took place prior to a meeting of OLAF's African Pilot Group which brings together OLAF's partner authorities in Africa.

These new arrangements improve cooperation in the fight against fraud with development aid in Africa by facilitating the exchange of information and enabling OLAF to carry out joint investigations with its co-signing partners. OLAF's Director-General Giovanni Kessler, who signed the arrangements with his African counterparts, welcomed them as a positive signal by saying: "European development aid is an important contribution to tackle poverty in the world. In times where budgets in Europe are being tightened, it is even more important to make sure that these EU funds are spent correctly. OLAF actively supports anti-fraud initiatives in Africa and we see these new arrangements as a good sign for our African partners to more efficiently coordinate their anti-fraud activities in order to bring about more tangible results."

Background:

OLAF cooperates with a large number of partner organisations in non-EU countries to ensure that EU development and humanitarian aid reaches its intended beneficiaries, without being diverted by fraud and corruption. It has signed a series of Administrative Cooperation Arrangements in order to facilitate practical day-to-day cooperation. A list of signed arrangements can be found on OLAF's website.

The Pilot Group is a biennial event bringing together OLAF's partner authorities in Africa. It was created in 2007 to strengthen the cooperation between OLAF and these authorities as well as to enhance trans-African cooperation. The 7th meeting of the Pilot Group will take place from 9-10 July in Brussels.

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 stimulate the creation of 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:
Florian OEL
Deputy Spokesperson
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
Phone: +32 2 29 69115
E-mail: olaf-mediaatec [dot] europa [dot] eu ( olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu )
http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud

Details

Publication date
10 July 2015
Author
European Anti-Fraud Office
News type
OLAF press release