08/03/2017 (Agence Europe) – On the evening of Thursday 9 March, the European Council is expected to authorise the launch of an enhanced cooperation, the fourth since the Treaty of Amsterdam, on the European Public Prosecutor's Office project, pursuant to a request made by 17 member states (France, Germany, Belgium, Romania, Spain, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Greece, Croatia, Estonia and Finland) which are prepared to join the office (EUROPE 11720). Sweden, the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland and Malta do not wish to participate. Italy is awaiting further clarifications and Cyprus and Portugal did not sign the letter. The United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark have opt-outs. The European Commission will note the absence of unanimity on this dossier, the aim of which is to tackle fraud against the European budget and VAT fraud. (SP)