News

Тhe European Commission's annual report on the protection of the European Union’s financial interests ('PIF Report') has been published.

Across the EU around 24 000 staff members who possess an invaluable know are involved in the implementation of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF). This knowledge could be exchanged in order to further improve the management of the investment programmes and is highly supported by the European Commission through the pilot initiative “Peer2Peer”.

In 2015, the work of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) was as diverse as it was significant. Complex cases ranged from investigating fraud in an ecological project in Africa, to co-operating with Japanese and Malaysian authorities on a multi-million case of evasion of anti-dumping duties, or dismantling a criminal network producing counterfeit shampoo in Spain. OLAF reported an excellent investigative performance, concluding the highest number of investigations in the last years, curbing cross-border fraud and bringing tangible results in protecting EU taxpayers' money.

On 13-14 October, over 100 anti-fraud experts from across Europe met in Rome to discuss the operational aspects of fighting fraud with EU funds. The seminar, organised by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), received the support of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU and of the Italian Guardia di Finanza.

From 24 to 26 September this year Sofia hosted the 2014 AFCOS Seminar

The European Anti-Fraud Office chose Bulgaria as a host of the event this year. The Seminar is an important forum and an excellent opportunity to discuss, share best practices and strengthen cooperation with OLAF and the foreign partner Services.

Delegation from AFCOS in Republic of Croatia has carried out a study visit in Sofia, funded by the Technical Assistance Information Exchange Instrument (TAIEX). The main objective of the visit was strengthening of administrative capacity of the Service. The hosting Institution was AFCOS – Republic of Bulgaria.

The Croatian Service has examined closely the best practices in Bulgaria for conducting administrative and on-the-spot checks, methodology and control mechanisms of the risk analyses in relation to irregularities and frauds with the EU resources.

From 8 to 13 June 2014 AFCOS Directorate’s officials realized a Study visit to Vilnius, Lithuania. The visit was carried out with the support of the Project № 0119-AFCOS-1.7 “Providing for and supporting the AFCOS Directorate activities with regard to its work under the Structural and Cohesion Fund (SCF)” funded under the Technical Assistance Operational Programme.

Sixth Round Table, 6 – 8 February 2013 on project "Increasing the efficiency of the "Coordination of fight against infringements affecting the financial interests of the EU (AFCOS) Directorate in Ministry of Interior", funded under the Technical Assistance Operational Programme 6 – 8 February 2013, Lukovit

The focus of the discussions was on the increase of the efficiency in the fight against fraud affecting the financial interests of the European Union in the Northwestern Planning Region.

The event was attended by:

Fifth Round Table, 14 – 16 November 2012 on project "Increasing the efficiency of the "Coordination of fight against infringements affecting the financial interests of the EU (AFCOS) Directorate in Ministry of Interior", funded under the Technical Assistance Operational Programme 14 – 16 November 2012, Arbanasi

The event was attended by:

Fourth Round Table, 12 – 14 September 2012 on project "Increasing the efficiency of the "Coordination of fight against infringements affecting the financial interests of the EU (AFCOS) Directorate in Ministry of Interior", funded under the Technical Assistance Operational Programme 12 – 14 September 2012, Golden Sands

The event was attended by: