Rome, 17/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - Mr Mer Brix Knudsen, Director of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the Italian National Anti-Mafia Prosecutor, Mr Pierluigi Vigna, signed, this Thursday a co-operation protocol between OLAF and Italian National anti-Mafia Directorate (DNA).
This protocol establishes, in the light of Article 280 of the EU Treaty, regular co-operation between the two bodies. Mr. Knudsen announced: "in the spirit of mutual confidence to allow the pooling of our respective expertise, information, experience and know-how, the DNA and OLAF will communicate to one another information and data for the purposes of the prevention, investigation and detection and the follow up action required to combat illegal activities as well as for the purposes of identifying and recovering the profits resulting from these same activities."
Mr Vigna recalled that the co-operation has already started, it contributed to enabling the DNA to dismantle the networks of international organised crime, notably in the smuggling of cigarettes. Presently, with the protocol, the co-operation will be strengthened and Mr. Vigna applauded the fact that the co-operation will also cover specialised training actions (with certain possible financing from the EU).
OLAF already collaborates or co-operates with other Member States official bodies, notably in the sectors where fraud is especially lucrative as with cigarette, alcohol and olive oil.