Financial Administration Boosts Cooperation with European Prosecutor's Office

Bratislava, March 9 (TASR) - Financial Administration (the tax office) has signed a working agreement on cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) to streamline the fight against fraud and other crimes affecting the financial interests of the European Union (EU), spokesperson for the Financial Directorate Daniel Kovac told TASR on Monday. Kovac specified that the document was signed by Financial Administration vice-president Bruno Patus on behalf of Financial Administration, and by Chief European Prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi on behalf of EPPO. Slovakia has thus become the 15th country to sign such an agreement with EPPO. According to the spokesperson, the agreement creates a framework for closer cooperation between the two institutions, particularly in the areas of information exchanges, coordination of investigation procedures and the identification of new trends in financial crime. It also establishes contact points for rapid communication and more effective reporting of suspected criminal activities falling within the remit of the European Public Prosecutor's Office. Kovac added that Financial Administration will immediately inform EPPO of any suspected criminal offences that may harm the EU's financial interests. The European Public Prosecutor's Office will also inform Financial Administration of whether or not it's launched investigations into such cases. am/df