The head of the EPPO expresses strong reservations about the legislative changes which, she says, affect the independent operation of the EPPO in Greece. She also leaves open the possibility of activating the EU conditionality mechanism, which could lead to a freeze on EU funds.
In her letter to the Commission, Kovesi refers to amendments concerning the acceleration of trials in cases involving political figures, expressing concern that European Delegated Prosecutors may be excluded from crucial investigations.
The conditionality mechanism, provided for under a 2020 EU regulation, allows the EU to suspend funding when violations of the rule of law are identified that affect the management of European funds.
For its part, the Ministry of Justice rejects the allegations that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office was taken by surprise. Government sources recall that Kovesi herself had been informed of the planned interventions since April and had even expressed a positive view of the need to speed up procedures.
They cite public statements by the European Prosecutor at the Delphi Economic Forum, where she said she ‘welcomes’ initiatives for faster delivery of justice and spoke of good co-operation with the Greek authorities.
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