The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, has adopted a decision confirming Poland’s participation in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
Poland applied to join the EPPO on January 5. Adam Bodnar, the Justice Minister, stated that he had sent the necessary documents to European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen and Alexander de Croo, the head of the EU’s current Belgian presidency.
The EPPO will be able to start its operations and investigations in Poland 20 days after the appointment of the European Prosecutor from Poland by the European Council.
In mid-December 2023, immediately after the new government was sworn in, Bodnar forwarded a request to Prime Minister Donald Tusk for Poland to join the EPPO.
The move was a reversal of the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government’s position, which was at odds with EU authorities over a number of issues.
“Following the request sent to the Commission by Poland, the EPPO will be competent to investigate and prosecute crimes affecting the Union’s financial interests committed in Poland after 1 June 1, 2021,” the EC said on its website on Thursday. The European Public Prosecutor is the independent public prosecutor of the EU for matters affecting its financial interests.
Out of the 27 member states that make up the bloc, 22 have so far joined. Poland will be the 23rd.
Poland will become part of the EPPO from the date the Commission’s decision comes into force, the EC added.Today is a landmark day for Poland.
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) February 29, 2024
The efforts and determination of the Polish government to strengthen the rule of law and judicial independence pave the way for accessing up to €137 billion in EU funds.
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The EPPO will be able to start its operations and investigations in Poland 20 days after the appointment of the European Prosecutor from Poland by the European Council.
In mid-December 2023, immediately after the new government was sworn in, Bodnar forwarded a request to Prime Minister Donald Tusk for Poland to join the EPPO.
The move was a reversal of the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government’s position, which was at odds with EU authorities over a number of issues.
“Following the request sent to the Commission by Poland, the EPPO will be competent to investigate and prosecute crimes affecting the Union’s financial interests committed in Poland after 1 June 1, 2021,” the EC said on its website on Thursday. The European Public Prosecutor is the independent public prosecutor of the EU for matters affecting its financial interests.
Out of the 27 member states that make up the bloc, 22 have so far joined. Poland will be the 23rd.
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