Brussels, 05/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - EU justice ministers held a policy debate on Thursday 4 December on the proposal for a European prosecutor's office. They focused on procedures for appointing the chief prosecutor and on ways to ensure the full independence of that office.
The Italian Presidency suggested to ministers that the chief prosecutor be chosen by agreement between the European Parliament and the Council using a procedure open to any candidate who fulfils the requirements for the post. A panel would consider the candidacies. Italy also asked whether the areas of responsibility of the prosecutor's office, currently focused on European budget fraud, might be extended to terrorist crimes and cross-border serious crime, as France, in particular, would like to see. Most countries favoured a selection procedure open to the outside, said Italian minister Andrea Orlando. (SP)