The leadership of the European Union Funds Audit Department (AFCOS, OLAF Contact Point in Latvia) of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Latvia conducted a training for the staff of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU). The topic of the training was “Institutional and legal framework for the protection of EU finances”.

During the event, speakers from the EU Funds Audit Department presented detailed information on the structure and functioning of the system of protection of EU financial interests in Latvia, and interaction with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

Coordination of actions of all Latvian competent authorities involved in ensuring effective control over the use of EU funds, risk identification, verification of violations, types of abuse and protocols of actions related to violations, intergovernmental investigations with the involvement of OLAF specialists, as well as types of liability, were the main focuses of the training.

The online training covered the entire range of issues related to functioning of the EU financial interest protection system. This system enhances the fight against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activity that harms the financial interests of both the EU Member States and the EU budget.

“It is worth noting that the existence of an effective mechanism for controlling the use of EU funds is a mandatory requirement for all EU member states and a ‘must have’ for a candidate country before accession. The presented experience of the AFCOS of the Republic of Latvia is important for the ESBU and will contribute to the proper implementation of Ukraine’s international obligations, as well as to the establishment of mechanisms for mutual administrative assistance and legal support to protect the financial interests of the EU and Ukraine,” said Head of the ESBU International Cooperation Division Anatoliy Aleksandrov.

The event was organized following the agreements between the ESBU International Cooperation Division and Latvian partners. It was attended by more than 20 employees of the ESBU. In the future it is planned to organize trainings and study visits for ESBU staff by Latvian colleagues.

Reminder: Recently an online meeting was held with representatives of the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) of the European Commission regarding the development of cooperation with the ESBU.