The prime minister addressed reporters after the latest Council of Ministers session, confirming that the government will publicly outline steps to strengthen cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. He explained that a formal momentum has been built toward Poland joining the EPPO, with a focus on expediting and clarifying how European funds are spent and monitored. The move signals a commitment to higher transparency and speed in cross-border anti-fraud initiatives as part of Poland’s ongoing alignment with European enforcement standards.
During the press briefing, the premier stated that the government has completed the pre-election declaration concerning Poland’s accession to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. He stressed the urgency of informing stakeholders and the public about the enhanced cooperation framework, which would integrate Polish prosecutorial processes with EPPO structures to bolster cross-border investigations and prosecutions.
Officials indicated that the cabinet decision imposes a duty on the justice minister to act quickly in communicating the strengthened ties with the EPPO. In effect, this action represents a formal step toward Poland’s accession, aligning national legal practices with the EPPO’s two-tier operational model and strategic governance. The head of government underscored the administrative and legal implications of this alignment and its potential to streamline enforcement across member states.
It was highlighted that the accelerated integration would support faster, more transparent use of European funds in strict accordance with established rules. The government views this as a practical improvement in governance, enabling clearer oversight of expenditures and more robust cooperation with EU supervisory mechanisms.
As part of the broader discussion, officials noted that the measures were implemented with urgency, reflecting a steady effort to modernize Poland’s participation in EU-level anti-fraud initiatives. The government wants to ensure that financial flows tied to European programs are protected against fraud and corruption, with robust accountability and traceability across all stages of the process.
Structure and mandate of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office, which began operations on June 1, 2022, concentrates on prosecuting crimes such as fraud, corruption, money laundering, and significant cross-border VAT fraud often involving amounts above one hundred million euros. At present, twenty-two EU nations have joined the EPPO, while five remain outside the office: Sweden, Hungary, Poland, Ireland, and Denmark. The expansion of EPPO membership continues to shape how member states coordinate investigations and share information for complex, transnational cases.
The EPPO operates through a two-tier structure. The strategic department comprises the European Prosecutor General, who oversees the office’s management and strategic direction, and the College of Prosecutors, which makes key strategic decisions. The operational department includes European Delegated Prosecutors, who handle preparatory investigations and prosecutions, and Permanent Chambers, which supervise and guide proceedings and issue operational directives. This arrangement is designed to ensure consistent enforcement, across borders, of EU financial and procurement rules.
Alongside ongoing discussions about expansion and reform, observers note that the EPPO framework emphasizes accountability, swift coordination, and shared standards that bolster the fight against cross-border crime. The evolving structure aims to make enforcement more visible and effective, a goal that resonates with audiences in North America who monitor EU reforms and their implications for international cooperation and funding integrity.
In the current policy landscape, experts stress the importance of aligning national legal processes with EPPO guidelines to reduce gaps in investigations and to strengthen the reliability of cross-border prosecutions. The emphasis on rapid communication, robust governance, and transparent spending is intended to reassure taxpayers and EU partners that EU resources are protected and properly managed across all member states.
Overall, the discussion reflects a broader trend toward closer EU-level supervision of expenditure and enforcement against fraud and corruption. For observers in Canada and the United States, the EPPO’s development offers a clearer picture of how the European Union coordinates criminal justice across borders and how new additions to EPPO’s membership could influence regional cooperation on law enforcement and financial oversight.