The Prosecutor General of the Republic of Bulgaria Ivan Geshev and the Director General of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) Ville Itala signed an administrative cooperation agreement between. The Agreement will contribute to the enhancing the protection of financial interests of the European Union, to the strengthening cooperation in the fight against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities.
The Agreement provides for the exchange of information in compliance with the relevant rules for confidentiality and data protection, operational assistance and training. OLAF will provide the Prosecutor’s Office with final reports with regard to investigations related to the Republic of Bulgaria, including recommendations from the Director-General of OLAF and other relevant documents. The two sides will also support each other in operational activities of common interest.
With this regard Mr. Ville Itälä said: “I am delighted that we have signed this agreement with the Bulgarian prosecutor’s office. We have already worked successfully together many times in the past, and this new agreement is a clear indication of the willingness on both sides to do even more. Rooting out fraud and corruption is vital if we are to protect the reputation of the European Union and its institutions, and to ensure that EU funding is spent right where it is needed, on improving the lives of European citizens. We share this goal with prosecutors in Bulgaria and across the whole of the EU and beyond, and I am sure this new agreement will lead to many more successful investigations and prosecutions in the years to come.”
The Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev said that “The cooperation agreement signed with OLAF is another step that shows the determination of both the Prosecutor's Office and the European institutions to keep up their common fight against corruption and fraud concerning European funds. I am sure that the Prosecutor's Office and OLAF will continue to work in full coordination and cooperation based on high levels of trust and professionalism".
The agreement will allow for a more effective and targeted exchange of information between OLAF and the Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office, respecting the relevant rules on confidentiality and data protection, as well as for operational assistance and training. OLAF will provide the Prosecutor’s Office with its final reports on investigations concerning Bulgaria, including any recommendations for further action and other relevant documents. The two parties will also support each other at the operational level when relevant.
However, the agreement does not cover mutual legal assistance or other forms of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, nor does it affect future cooperation by both OLAF and the Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office with the new European Public Prosecutor's Office.