The European Commission unveiled its proposal for the ‘Pericles V’ programme, designed to prevent and combat euro counterfeiting and related fraud throughout the European Union, on Wednesday 3 September, as a component of the second part of the Multiannual Financial Framework for the 2028-2034 period (see other news).
“The stability and security of the euro is, of course, essential for the stability and security of our Union, and this programme will help to protect the integrity of the euro and so reinforce trust among business and customers”, said Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Justice, when presenting the proposal.
With an increased budget of €7 million, the ‘Pericles V’ programme will build on the success of previous editions, while taking account of emerging threats to the single currency, such as ‘prop money’, or potential threats, with the possible introduction of the digital euro and the rise of artificial intelligence.
The ‘Pericles V’ programme will co-finance training, seminars and exchanges for officials from the Member States involved in the fight against counterfeiting.
According to the Commission, even if the average number of counterfeit notes detected each year remains under control, vigilance is still required in view of the increase in counterfeit euros available on the internet and the ‘dark web’, as well as the persistence of counterfeiting hubs “in Turkey and China”.
See the legislative texts relating to the ‘Pericles V’ programme: https://aeur.eu/f/i91 (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)