BUDAPEST, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has welcomed the European Commission's approval on Friday for Hungary's request to join the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).
Hungary becomes the 25th EU member state to join the bloc's anti-fraud prosecution body, which is responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes affecting the Union's financial interests.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the decision, calling it "a welcome step in the fight against fraud and corruption."
"The people of Hungary will now have a safeguard in place to ensure EU funds work in their interest," she said in a statement.
According to the Commission, the decision will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
Hungary must now nominate three candidates for the position of European Prosecutor. The Council of the EU will appoint one of them after considering the opinion of an independent panel. Hungarian authorities will also nominate European delegated prosecutors and provide the personnel and resources needed for the EPPO to operate in the country.
The EPPO will begin operations in Hungary 20 days after the Council appoints the country's European prosecutor. It will have jurisdiction over crimes involving EU funds committed in Hungary since June 1, 2021, when the EPPO began its operations.
Established in 2021, the EPPO investigates and prosecutes financial crimes affecting the EU budget. According to the Commission, it was handling more than 3,600 cases by the end of 2025. ■