On Thursday, 13 February, Laura Codruţa Kövesi, the European chief prosecutor, visited Latvia, pursuant to the invitation of the Minister of Justice Jānis Bordāns. She is the first one, who holds this responsible office. European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) should commence its work in November 2020.
During the meeting J.Bordāns and L.Kövesi discussed the organization of the work of the EPPO. Both parties shared the same opinion that knowledge of public prosecutors and their specialisation will be an important factor for provision of the effective work, in particular for investigation of difficult and complicated cross-border financial crimes.
“One of the main challenges for the next prosecutor general will be to provide the necessary contribution of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Latvia for effective work of the EPPO,” J.Bordāns underlines the role of the head of the prosecutor’s office.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
L.Kövesi is appointed in the office of the European chief prosecutor for seven years. During her career in Romania L.Kövesi has lead the National Anticorruption Directorate for five years and worked as a Prosecutor General for six years.
EPPO will be an independent EU body, responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the Union (e.g. money laundering, corruption, cross-border VAT fraud above 10 million euros).
The central level of the EPPO will consist of the European chief prosecutor and European prosecutors - one from each Member State of the EPPO. The national level of the EPPO will consist of the prosecutors delegated by Europe, who will work in their own countries and who will have the same rights as the national prosecutors.
Political agreement on closer cooperation for establishment of the EPPO was reached by 22 Member States of the EU, including Latvia.