Brussels, 30/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - As reported in EUROPE of 24 July 2003, p.7), last week the European Commission submitted a draft code of conduct to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) with the aim of learning the lessons of the Eurostat scandal and improving liaison between both sides when officials of the European institutions are being investigated (internal investigations). OLAF will then give its views of the code of conduct before it can be officially applied. The code of conduct is the first stage in amending the 1999 Regulation setting up OLAF, other amendments being proposed in 2004.
The code of conduct gives details of information that OLAF must provide the Commission during investigations to ensure the Commission can take the appropriate corrective measures when the EU's financial interests are jeopardised.
The draft code of conduct notes that OLAF should provide information to the Commission Secretary General, as at present, but the Secretary General will in the future be able to report to the relevant Commissioners and Director Generals about internal investigations more than nine months old.
The Eurostat scandal, and other far less serious cases where officials were moved to another post but not charged, illustrate the urgent need to formalise the way information is to be exchanged, particularly in internal investigations, commented Commissioner Michaele Schreyer in the draft code of conduct, which confirms the founding principles of OLAF as an investigation body and the confidentiality of investigations where necessary.