on the operating rules of the selection panel provided for in Article 14(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (''the EPPO'')

This proposal is limited to what is necessary in order to attain the proposed objectives, and is therefore compliant with the principle of proportionality. This proposal is directly linked to the entry into force of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 and essential in ensuring a swift setting up of the EPPO.

In accordance with Article 14(3) of Council Regulation 2017/1939, the Commission is legally required to submit a proposal for the selection panel’s operating rules. This proposal is essential to ensure that the selection panel will be able to perform its tasks as efficiently as possible in order to swiftly select and appoint the European Chief Prosecutor and European Prosecutors of the EPPO.

This initiative is consistent with other Union policies and legislative developments aimed at strengthening the protection of the Union’s financial interests.

By submitting this proposal for a Council Implementing Decision with in Annex, the selection panel’s operating rules, the Commission is complying with its obligation under Article 14(3) of Council Regulation 2017/1939. This proposal will allow for commencing with the required selection and appointment procedures of the EPPO’s European Chief Prosecutor and European Prosecutors. This proposal is therefore fully consistent with existing policy provisions in the respective policy area.

The establishment of the EPPO is foreseen by Article 86 TFEU. The EPPO will be the first EU body with criminal investigation and prosecution powers into crimes affecting the financial interests of the Union and will be a completely new actor in the European judicial landscape. The EPPO is expected to lead to a more consistent and effective prosecution policy for crimes affecting the EU budget, resulting in a greater number of prosecutions, convictions and a higher level of recovery of fraudulently lost Union funds.

The selection panel will have the main task to draw up a shortlist of qualified candidates for the position of European Chief Prosecutor before his/her appointment by the European Parliament and Council and to provide a reasoned opinion on the qualifications of candidates for European Prosecutors before their appointment by the Council. The operating rules proposed by the Commission ensure that the selection panel will be able to perform its tasks as efficiently as possible. The Annex therefore includes rules on the tasks, composition, secretariat and decision-making procedures of the selection panel, as well as rules on the ranking of candidates, financial provisions, the processing of personal data and the language regime of the selection panel.

A key aspect in getting the EPPO up and running concerns the selection and appointment of its staff, in particular the European Chief Prosecutor and European Prosecutors. In order to select the European Chief Prosecutor and European Prosecutors of the EPPO, Article 14(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 provides that the Council shall establish the selection panel’s operating rules and shall adopt a decision appointing its members on a proposal from the Commission. For this purpose, the Commission is proposing a Council Implementing Decision with in Annex the selection panels’ operating rules.

Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘EPPO’) was adopted on 12 October 2017 and entered into force on 20 November 2017. In accordance with Article 20 of that Regulation, the Commission is responsible for the establishment and initial administrative operation of the EPPO, until the EPPO has the capacity to implement its own budget. The Commission is undertaking all necessary efforts to ensure a swift setting up of the EPPO. In line with Article 120 of the Regulation and following a build-up phase of three years, the Commission aims at having the EPPO operational by the end of 2020.

Given the targeted and limited nature of this proposal, and the fact that it complies with the obligation put on the Commission in Article 14(3) of Council Regulation 2017/1939, ex-post evaluations, stakeholder consultations and an impact assessment were not carried out.

4.BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS

This proposal outlines in point VIII of the Annex that the Members of the selection panel required to travel away from their place of residence in order to carry out their duties shall be entitled to reimbursement of their expenses and an allowance in accordance with Article 9 of Council Regulation 2016/300. The corresponding expenditure shall be borne by the Council. The Commission will be responsible for the panel’s secretariat and provide for the necessary administrative support for the working of the panel. These tasks will not have financial implications.

5.OTHER ELEMENTS

•Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements

Given the nature of this measure, there is no need for implementation.

•Explanatory documents (for directives)

This proposal does not require Explanatory Documents on the transposition.

•Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal

Point I sets out the tasks of the selection panel, in line with Article 14(3) and 16(2) of Council Regulation 2017/1939.

Point II describes the composition of the selection panel and the term of office of the members of the panel. In accordance with Article 14(3) of Council Regulation 2017/1939, the selection panel will be comprised of former members of the Court of Justice and the Court of Auditors, former national members of Eurojust, members of national supreme courts, high level prosecutors and lawyers of recognised competence. This point clarifies that the members of the selection panel shall at least meet one of the abovementioned criteria at the time of their appointment. Point 2 further explains that the members of the selection panel shall be appointed by the Council for a period of four years. In addition, this point provides for rules on the replacement of members before expiry of their term.

Point III foresees rules on the chair and secretariat of the selection panel. This point explains that the Commission is responsible for the panel’s secretariat and sets out the tasks of the secretariat.

Point IV provides for rules on the deliberations of the selection panel.

Point V explains that all applications for the position of European Chief Prosecutor and nominations for the position of European Prosecutors will be referred to the selection panel. In addition, point V foresees the possibility for the selection panel to request applicants or governments of nominating Member States for additional information.

Point VI sets out the applicable appointment procedures for the European Chief Prosecutor as well as the European Prosecutors. As regards the European Chief Prosecutor, this point outlines that the selection panel will review the applications with regard to the requirements set out in Article 14(2) of Regulation 2017/1939, as further specified in the vacancy notice. The selection panel will rank the candidates who fulfil the requirements and will hear a sufficient number of the highest ranked candidates. Applicants who do not fulfil the eligibility requirements or who are not invited to be heard by the panel will be informed of the reasons. As regards the European Prosecutors, this point describes that the panel will review the nominations with regard to the requirements set out in Article 16(1) of Council Regulation 2017/1939 and hear the candidates nominated.

Point VII follows up on the procedure laid down in Point VI and includes that the selection panel will draw up a shortlist of three to five candidates for the position of the European Chief Prosecutor, which will be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council. The candidates who are not placed on the shortlist will be informed of the reasons and may submit a complaint to the Council in accordance with Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations. While the selection panel will rank the candidates according to their qualifications and experience, this ranking will not be binding on the European Parliament and the Council. As regards the position of European Prosecutor, the selection panel will formulate an opinion on the candidates' qualifications to perform the duties of European Prosecutors and expressly state whether or not a candidate fulfils the conditions in Article 16(1) of Regulation 2017/1939. While the selection panel will rank the candidates according to their qualifications and experience, this ranking will not be binding on the Council. This point also provides for rules in the situation that nominated candidates for the position of European Prosecutor do not fulfil the required conditions.

Point VIII sets out the financial provisions. The members of the selection panel who are required to travel away from their place of residence in order to carry out their tasks will be entitled to reimbursement of their expenses and an allowance in accordance with Article 9 of Council Regulation (EU) 2016/300. The corresponding expenditure is to be borne by the Council.

Point IX regulates that the processing of personal data in the context of the work of the selection panel shall take place under the responsibility of the Commission in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001. This point further ensures that the rules applicable to the security of and access to information processed in the context of the work of the selection panel shall be those applicable to the Commission.

Point X sets out the language regime of the selection panel and stipulates that the panel, upon proposal of its chair, will determine the language regime for its deliberations.