The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine and the European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF) have agreed on new areas of cooperation. Issues of cooperation were discussed during a meeting of the ESBU management with the head of the international operations unit and the head of the international cooperation and communications unit of OLAF.

It is, first of all, about the introduction of practical skills, the exchange of experience in the investigation of specific cases. In particular, in cases of illegal transfer of funds abroad with subsequent legalization, cybercrimes, abuses in the tax sphere, etc.

Information exchange, methodological support of experts in joint investigations using OLAF's network of contacts, databases and competent authorities of EU member states will increase the effectiveness of the Bureau's investigations.

"OLAF's assistance in institutional development will allow to bring the work standards of the Security Intelligence Service into compliance with the standards of law enforcement agencies of the EU member states. The ESBU works as part of the Interdepartmental Working Group, which has already developed a project of the Comprehensive Strategic Plan for the Reform of Law Enforcement Bodies as part of the Security and Defense Sector of Ukraine for 2023-2027. In practice, we introduce a risk-oriented approach, digitalization, etc. We use the analytical function, we introduce methods where the work of the detective is guided by analytics and directed to areas where there are more risks. For the economy, in the long term, it is much more important to prevent crimes, model the behavior of criminal groups and identify trends in the evolution of criminal phenomena, than to catch up with a thief for a crime that has already been committed," said Director of ESBU Vadym Melnyk.

At a meeting with the OLAF leadership, the Director of the ESBU spoke about the results of the Bureau's work in the first year of its existence. The main activities of the ESBU are the prevention of criminal manifestations in the economic sphere that is the prevention of economic damage to the state and the investigation of already committed economic crimes. Within the limits of its powers and in accordance with its jurisdiction under martial law conditions, the ESBU prevents embezzlement of budget funds, ensures the filling of the budget of Ukraine and searches for and blocks the assets of the Russian Federation.

The parties also agreed to intensify cooperation in such areas as:

• development of the Bureau's institutional capacity and involvement of technical assistance from the EU. It is planned to join the ESBU to the corresponding program for the purpose of technical equipment and providing software, providing access to information bases.
• participation of ESBU employees in training programs of OLAF and financial investigation bodies of EU member states. International partners offered to involve ESBU employees in the internship program, participation in trainings, seminars and educational programs. Cooperation in this direction will allow Bureau employees at the institutional level to obtain the necessary knowledge and professional training in the field of protection of the financial interests of the EU, collection of the evidence base on violations, development of control practices for the use of international technical assistance, etc.

From the Office for the Prevention of Abuse and Fraud (OLAF), the online meeting was attended by Biag Fiorito - Head of the International Operations and Investigations Unit, Yana Capello - Head of the Policy Coordination and Communication Unit and other colleagues from OLAF.

For reference. OLAF has about 420 employees: police, customs and legal experts from the member states of the European Union.

Areas of work of OLAF:

- conducting independent investigations of fraud and corruption using EU budget funds;

- promoting the strengthening of citizens' trust in EU institutions by investigating serious violations by EU employees and members of EU institutions;

- development of a sound EU anti-fraud policy