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GRECO: Fifth Round Evaluation Report on Belgium
On 23 January 2020, GRECO published its fifth round evaluation report on Belgium. The lack of an integrity policy or ethical framework for ministers and staff members of their private offices emerged as the most striking problem. There are few regulations on incompatibilities and … Read more
Dr. András Csúri
Council of Europe
Corruption
GRECO: Fifth Round Evaluation Report on France
On 9 January 2020, GRECO published its fifth round evaluation report on France. The focus of this evaluation round is on preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central governments (top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies. The evaluation focuses particularly on such issues as … Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption
ECA Examined Costs and Cost Savings in EU’s Cohesion Policy Funds
On 16 April 2020, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) published the results of an audit on implementation of the EU's Cohesion Policy Funds (Special Report No 07/2020). There are, however, deficiencies in the completeness, coherence, and consistency of the collected data. Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
Protection of Financial Interests
EU Condemns Malicious Cyber Activities in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
In a declaration of 30 April 2020, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borell, condemned malicious cyber activities targeting essential operators in Member States and their international partners, including those in the healthcare sector. Read more
EU
Corona
Cybercrime
EPPO: Nomination of College Delayed, Budget Increase
The compilation of the College of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has been delayed. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the selection panel could not meet in March 2020; therefore, the appointment of recently nominated European Prosecutors had to be postponed. Initially, it was envisaged that … Read more
EU
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
OLAF Investigations against MEPs
On 30 April 2020, OLAF informed the public that it had successfully concluded two internal investigations against MEPs and their staff. The investigations were launched in 2017/2018 after allegations that money from salaries was being transferred to the national political parties. This is not allowed under the rules of the EP. Read more
EU
OLAF
Italy: Successful Strike against Tobacco Smuggling
Italy’s Guardia di Finanza successfully broke up a tobacco smuggling ring in May 2020. After OLAF’s tip-off, the Italian authorities raided the port of Salerno and led an investigation against 69 persons. They uncovered two consignments of smuggled tobacco that were being shipped from the … Read more
EU
OLAF
OLAF Unveils Fraud Committted by Greek Researcher
On 5 May 2020, OLAF reported the successful discovery of a fraud scheme set up by a Greek researcher. The researcher pretended to involve over 40 international researchers in a research project funded by the European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA) with a grant … Read more
EU
OLAF
Protection of Financial Interests
OLAF: Fraud Detected in Environmental Research
OLAF investigations dismantled a fraud scheme by a consortium that had received EU money to carry out environmental research. Apparently, the beneficiaries had neither the capacity nor the intention to carry out the environmental research project. Instead, the major share of the EU grant (€400,000) was pumped into a casino/hotel in Cyprus. Read more
EU
OLAF
Protection of Financial Interests
OLAF’s Work in Times of Crisis
On 7 April 2020, OLAF informed the public that it is still fully operational and committed to fighting fraud during the Coronavirus crisis. Read more
EU
Corona
OLAF
OLAF and WCO Step Up Cooperation
In April 2020, OLAF and the World Customs Organization (WCO) improved the sharing of information. Both anti-fraud bodies interconnected their databases with regard to tobacco smuggling. Read more
EU
OLAF
Commission Fights Spread of Disinformation about COVID-19 Pandemic
The Commission has undertaken steps to fight disinformation related to the outbreak of COVID-19 . On 30 March 2020, the Commission launched a new website that provides material and information on fact checks. Read more
EU
Security Union
Corona
EP Resolution on COViD-19 Pandemic and its Consequences
On 17 April 2020, the EP adopted a resolution that deals with a wide range of topics on how the EU can overcome the current COVID-19 pandemic and what the follow-up could look like. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Corona
CoE Report: Policing Regarding Hate Speech and Racism in Germany
On 17 March 2020, the European Commission on Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published a report on Germany. The report focuses on (1) effective equality and access to rights; (2) hate speech and hate-motivated violence; (3) integration and inclusion. Read more
Council of Europe
Human Rights Issues
Rule-of-Law Developments in Hungary
European institutions have rule-of-law concerns with regard to Hungary. As in the case of Poland, Hungary faces several infringement actions before the CJEU. The recent developments in brief: Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Rule of Law
Threat of Rule of Law in Poland – Recent Developments
New actions and regulations initiated by the Polish ruling party to push through reforms in the justice system triggered further controversies between the country and European institutions/civil society organisations. An overview of the main recent events: Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Rule of Law