On Thursday 21 March, MEPs of the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) adopted by 33 votes to 5 with 2 abstentions a draft resolution supporting the extension of the mandate of the European Public Prosecutor's Office – which will be responsible from 2020 onwards for combating fraud involving European funds and VAT – to cross-border terrorism by 2025 (see EUROPE 12094/7).
The process of drafting the resolution was very fast, said rapporteur Claude Moraes (S&D, UK). Only four amendments were tabled and all were rejected.
The resolution, which is a response to the Commission's recommendation presented last September, reaffirms the European Parliament's general support for the creation of the European Public Prosecutor's Office and fully supports this extension of its powers, as provided for in Article 86 of the TFEU.
On this matter, Parliament is only consulted and the decision will have to be taken unanimously by all Member States, including the six countries not participating in the European Public Prosecutor's Office. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)