Four laws, two government decrees - part of the legislation ensuring the protection of the EU budget was announced. This is necessary so that Hungary can receive the money due to it as soon as possible.

As part of the professional dialogue between the Hungarian government and the European Commission on the rule of law, the rules that provide a more effective framework for the protection of the EU budget have been published in the Magyar Közlöny.

In connection with this, four laws were promulgated on October 10, one of which is: XXVII of 2022 on the control of the use of European Union budget resources. law specifies the legal status and scope of duties of the new office entrusted with monitoring the use of EU budget resources. This creates the Internal Audit and Integrity Directorate, which

Tibor Navracsics can start working in the work organization of the minister responsible for the use of EU funds.

The key player in the fight against corruption will be the Integrity Authority

The Integrity Authority is obliged to act in all cases where, according to the Authority, there is a suspicion of fraud, conflict of interest, corruption or other violations of the EU budget. The authority also has jurisdiction over projects receiving financial support from the EU. An important guarantee is that

even if a project is withdrawn from EU funding, this step must not result in

that the Authority will no longer have authority over the phase of the given project implemented with EU funding.

The Integrity Authority is obliged to report its suspicions to the competent authority, including the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor's Office. In addition, the Authority can initiate, for example, the procedure of the Economic Competition Office and the Public Procurement Decision Committee. If the relevant bodies do not act, the Authority may file a default lawsuit in court in accordance with the provisions of the Act on Administrative Procedures.

OLAF staff can be supported by financial inspectors during on-site investigations; the amending rules may allow OLAF investigators to enter the premises affected by the investigation together with the financial inspectors. The financial inspector also supports the smooth conduct of the investigation by means of on-site insurance. In this way, OLAF inspectors have access to the necessary documents and data carriers and are protected against physical resistance.

Source and full article: mandiner.hu

Featured image: Árpád Földházi