European Commission welcomes Cyprus’ approach to anti-fraud policy

Cyprus launched its anti-fraud agenda under the EU Council Presidency, hosting the first meeting of the Working Party on Combating Fraud in Brussels and welcoming the new director-general of the European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf), Petr Klement.

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, emphasising 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.”

Klement, attending the working party for the first time in his new capacity, called for closer cooperation between Member States and Olaf, while placing particular emphasis on strengthening ties with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).

He also pointed to the forthcoming evaluation of the Olaf Regulation, expected by June 2026, saying it offers an opportunity to tackle legal and operational obstacles in information-sharing between Olaf, the EPPO and Europol.

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 effective protection of the EU budget, the Presidency said, 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, aimed at supporting exchange, assistance and training to protect the euro against counterfeiting.

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 added.

Delegations also examined the European Court of Auditors’ Special Report 26/2025 on EU bodies involved in combating fraud, with discussions focusing on improving information exchange and strengthening follow-up of fraud cases at European level.

The Presidency further briefed Member States on developments related to the Single Market and Customs Programme, stressing the need for coordination between Council working groups on issues linked to protecting the Union’s financial interests.

With its first meeting, Cyprus signalled a coordinated and results-focused approach to anti-fraud policy for its six-month term, placing cooperation with Member States, EU institutions and the new Olaf leadership at the centre of its agenda.