EU Commissioner for Justice: Kovesi will do an excellent job

The EU commissioner for Justice, Vera Jourova, has met Laura Codruta Kovesi today, recently appointed as European Chief Prosecutor, the first one in the EU’s history.

Jourova congratulated Kovesi for her appointment at EPPO’s helm, adding the former Romanian anti-corruption Head will “do an excellent job” in protecting the European Union’s financial interests.

“I would like to warmly congratulate Ms Laura Kövesi for becoming the first ever European Chief Prosecutor. This appointment is one step closer for European Public Prosecutor’s Office becoming operational. She will do an excellent job protecting EU’s financial interests“, EU Commissioner for Justice said.

Jourova has warned that at present the Union is losing at least EUR 50 billion a year due to EU fund-related frauds.

“We want to send a strong signal to criminals that we are serious about fighting financial crime and protecting the taxpayers’ money. EU is losing at least 50 billion every year due to the VAT
fraud which the #EPPO will also investigate”.

The commissioner has also hailed the fact that 22 EU member states had joined the European Public Prosecutor Office.

“I am very glad that we now have 22 founding members of the European Public Prosecutor. #EPPO I hope that Hungary, Poland and Sweden will soon see the benefits of joining the club.”

The Council of the European Union has agreed on Monday to the appointment of Laura Codruţa Kövesi to be the first European chief prosecutor. The appointment must now also be confirmed by the European Parliament.