EPPO Frameworks for Cooperation with OLAF, Eurojust and Europol

26 April 2021
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Key takeaways:
  • The EPPO‘s relationship with the European Union’s pre-existing anti-fraud and criminal justice cooperation bodies has been formalised. The OLAF Regulation has been modified to provide a framework for cooperating with the EPPO, and the EPPO has concluded Working Arrangements with both Eurojust and Europol.
  • In relation to OLAF, the new institutional framework gives clear primacy to the EPPO and its investigations. Not only will OLAF not pursue an investigation if it risks complicating an EPPO investigation, but the EPPO will also be able to instruct OLAF to conduct investigative measures on its behalf, although doubts remain over the evidential status of the results of such measures.