EPPO to tighten oversight of EU funds in Moldova
European funds earmarked for the Republic of Moldova will be subject to rigorous oversight by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) to prevent fraud and corruption.
The head of the EPPO, currently visiting Chisinau, emphasised that the significant increase in pre-accession funds heightens the risk of fraud, necessitating close collaboration between the EPPO and Moldovan authorities.
"The pre-accession funds will be substantial, and wherever European funds are present, fraud tends to follow, as we observe in our daily work," Kovesi stated.
The head of the European Public Prosecutor's Office cautioned against the threat posed by organised crime groups that target European funds for fraud, potentially jeopardising security. "VAT fraud, for instance, is estimated to cost the European Union approximately 50 billion euros annually. Should these sums fall into the hands of organised crime groups, our security could be severely compromised," the head of the EPPO emphasised.
She urged the authorities in the Republic of Moldova to remain steadfast in their efforts to combat fraud and corruption, cautioning that European funds will be subject to the same rigorous oversight as in any other member state of the European Union. "We diligently monitor all member states, as well as third countries where European funds are present, and we will ensure our presence is felt in Moldova as well," Kovesi added.
The Chief Prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, Laura Codruta Kovesi, is currently on a visit to the Republic of Moldova today, September 2nd, at the invitation of the Minister of Justice, Veronica Mihailov-Moraru.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
