During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on Union Anti-Fraud Programme 2021-2027: opening statements by Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, and by Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Brussels

statement

debate

plenary session

SILVA PEREIRA, Pedro (S&D, PT)

HAHN, Johannes (AT, EC)

HOHLMEIER, Monika (EPP, DE)

Multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 (T)

Union Anti-Fraud Programme 2021-2027: opening statements by Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, and by Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D, PT), Chair, We now move on to the debates, the next item on our agenda is a recommendation for a second reading from MEP Hohlmeier on the Union Antifraud Programme 2021 - 2027. I'd like to tell you, as you probably know, that at the current time there is no catch the eye, nor is there any blue card procedure.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D, PT), Chair, As in previous sessions we will be hearing from MEPs from the European liaison offices in the member states. I would therefore like to open the debate by giving the floor to MEP Hohlmeier, who is the rapporteur on this file.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, Colleagues, Mr Commissioner. I'm delighted that today we're having another opportunity to briefly discuss the antifraud programme. Right at the start let me thank the commissioner and his team and the commission who have worked together very constructively.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, I'd also like to thank the council for showing flexibility. I'd like to thank the colleagues and the shadows who have negotiated this programme with me together.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, I'd like to thank Tamas Deutsch, the original rapporteur for his support and all the good work that he did in finalising this programme.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, The the antifraud information system is, the antifraud programme is playing a major part in the programme, and it's managed by Olaf, as I said, it's about the fight against corruption, fraud and other irregularities in connexion with the EU budget.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, The aim of the antifraud programme is to promote cooperation between the administrative bodies and member states and the cooperation with the commission. And quite honestly, there's still an awful lot of work to do.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, If Olaf for years did not get access, for example, to the relevant bank accounts to establish whether there was a problem there. Also important information was withheld and public prosecutors were not cooperative because certain governments in the member states did not want that.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, Then the antifraud programme is a very important programme, together with other legislation that we've introduced, such as the conditionality mechanism. Funds from the FP will go to training exchange of information and also best practises exchange between the forward combating authorities and member states.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, The negotiations have led to a very balanced agreement in which we as the parliament have been able to put our position through in many areas as the EP, we were able to get in the basic regulation, a detailed list of measures that are eligible so that we know exactly what this is about and so that things cannot be changed without us being involved.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, That's what the member states love to do. They like not to inform us about what they'd like to change once the legal act has been adopted. In terms of the annual PIF report, the Parliament may make recommendations on the work programme.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, Details regarding monitoring and evaluation will be governed in a delegated act. In other words, the European Parliament is able to veto the choice of indicators if we deem that necessary.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, Regarding the timing, we were able to agree on a flexible transition because the start was somewhat delayed and because of that it was necessary in any cases of the financing as of the 1st of January 21 so that we could ensure continuity under the new MFF and then in 2027 if there were to be similar delays.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, There... is not any likelihood that the programme will fall because it can be financed right to the end of the year if the MMF.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, In the light of negotiations on this programme, but also in the light of many parliament initiatives, the European anti-corruption bodies, Eurojust and Europol and the Court of Auditors are beginning to strengthen their network to exchange information and to exchange data.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, I consider it essential that the member states enhance their cooperation than has been the case in the past. I'm disappointed, however, that the member states keep asking whether any powers are being transferred rather than asking what is effective, what works best, what we need to do together and how to get at best working.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, It does seem to be that there's disappointment and cover ups in some situations. We've seen in the last few weeks, for example, starting with Malta and Hungary, Czech Republic, Greece, Bulgaria.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, We're seeing many problems in all sorts of countries, which means that we need to ensure that financial interests are protected and protection of our fundamental values will only come about if member states are prepared to cooperate and are prepared to exchange data in a rapid way.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, Not to let it drag on for months only need to look at the issue of the conflict of interest that we're seeing that sometimes one and a half years, two, three, four, five, six years that it takes to get data on the Agrifort company.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, After a year and a half, we still have no information about what Agrifort is actually doing with its 123 different subsidiaries. So I consider this a major success story.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, For the first time, the ultimate beneficiaries need to be registered so that we know who is behind the companies. With Agrifort, we can see that if it has 123 companies, it's much easier for them to conceal this because we cannot see who the ultimate beneficiary is.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, It's not only a political problem, but it's a problem of organised crime. Colleagues, there's an awful lot for us to do. Let us continue to fight.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), rapporteur, Thank you very much for your support to the commission on this new initiative and for your cooperation. Thank you very much to the colleagues. And I very much hope that this programme can give a small signal, even if it's only a small programme. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D, PT), Chair, Thank you very much to our rapporteur, Monika Hohlmeier. I now give the floor to and welcome the honourable commissioner, Johannes Hahn. I give you the floor and thank you for being here in parliament.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Honourable members, in particular rapporteurs. I'm delighted to debate the final step towards the adoption of the union antifraud programme regulation, and this regulation sets the framework for the financial and technical support of the union to the member states and partners for preventing and tackling irregularities and fraudulent activities in the years to come.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, We ultimately had very fruitful negotiations on this legislative proposal. All three institutions showed commitment to resolve the diverging views and find political agreement. And I have to stress and they like to stress this in one single trialogue, In December 2020.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, The Antifraud Programme is the only union programme dedicated to directly protecting the union budget, considering the pandemic and the unprecedented funds that are being mobilised to help our union recover. It was crucial to finalise the negotiations swiftly.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, The antifraud programme can now be implemented as soon as possible. I would like to thank the European Parliament and the Council for their work on this initiative. I would particularly like to thank the rapporteurs, Mrs Hohlmeier, but she rightly mentioned also that message for their commitment to bringing the negotiations to a successful outcome.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Thank you also to the co-rapporteurs for their engagement. The programme will finance the various actions of member states and partner authorities to protect the union budget.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, The programme combines financial support to national authorities with the financing of two EU level operational programmes, the irregularities management system and the antifraud information system.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, We ensure continuity in supporting the member states in their efforts to protect the union budget under the DSA programme famous Hercule three and financing new actions. At the same time, there are new elements which reflect important adaptations to the new institutional framework and the arrival of the European public prosecutor's office.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, We also helped member states to prepare to fight new trends and patterns of fraud. The antifraud programme ensures not only cooperation between the union and the member states, but also with authorities from participating third countries reinforcing the preventive aspect of the programme and its actions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, I wholeheartedly welcome the adoption of the regulation. It will shape long term union antifraud actions and indeed will protect taxpayers' money. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D, PT), Chair, We thank you very much, Commissioner.