20 EU nations back plan for EU prosecutor’s office

BRUSSELS – The European Union has taken a major step toward setting up a European prosecutor’s office which would be able to investigate financial fraud affecting the bloc.

Twenty of the 28 EU nations at a meeting of justice and interior ministers agreed on the creation of the Luxembourg-based office under an enhanced co-operation agreement. The chief prosecutor will be able to investigate fraud involving EU aid and subsidies and VAT infractions.

The EU has said such fraud amounts to some 500 million euros a year.

“This is a perfect example of where European collaboration is both necessary and reaps major rewards for the public,” said Greens MEP Jan Philipp Albrecht.

The plan must still get the backing from the European Parliament.