Brussels, Belgium. Cyprus launched its anti-fraud agenda under the EU Council Presidency by hosting the first meeting of the Working Party on Combating Fraud and welcoming new European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf) director-general Petr Klement.
Cyprus chairs first meeting of the Working Party on Combating Fraud
According to a statement from the general accounting office, the meeting was chaired last week by the director of the Directorate of Financial Control of European Funds, highlighting Cyprus’ role in steering discussions on safeguarding the Union’s financial interests.
“The protection of the European Union’s financial interests is a matter of shared responsibility,” the Presidency said, adding that “it requires political will, institutional coherence and even closer cooperation between Member States and European institutions.”
Olaf director-general calls for closer cooperation
Klement, attending the working party for the first time in his new capacity, called for closer cooperation between Member States and Olaf, with emphasis on strengthening ties with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
He also referred to the forthcoming evaluation of the Olaf Regulation, expected by June 2026, saying it offers an opportunity to address legal and operational obstacles in information-sharing between Olaf, the EPPO and Europol.
Presidency priorities and Pericles V programme
The session marked the start of Cyprus’ work in the group, in line with its Presidency motto, ‘An Autonomous Union, open to the world’.
The Presidency said effective protection of the EU budget is directly linked to sound financial management, institutional credibility and citizens’ trust.
A key legislative file is the proposed Pericles V programme for 2028–2034, intended to support exchange, assistance and training to protect the euro against counterfeiting.
Next steps
During discussion of the Presidency’s first compromise text, only a limited number of Member States raised substantive comments, while the European Commission welcomed the approach.
Technical talks will continue at the next meeting, the statement said.
What do you think should be prioritised to strengthen information-sharing between Olaf, the EPPO and Europol?