Brussels, 09/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - The EU member states will have to share specific information on fraud cases involving EU funds on their territory with the EU anti-fraud office (OLAF), under a hard-negotiated agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission which was approved by the Parliament's budgetary control committee on Monday 8 October. The text includes clearer definitions of irregularities and fraud. It outlines the right of defence for those being investigated, as well as the rights of witnesses and whistle-blowers. The exchange of information between OLAF and national authorities should be improved. The regulation introduces new inter-institutional procedures to ensure information sharing. The Parliament as a whole still needs to adopt the text of the regulation, probably in November. The Council will also have to adopt the regulation. (LC/transl.fl)