Laura Kövesi, head of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), said the institution is prepared to work closely with Hungarian authorities should the country decide to join, speaking at the Delphi Economic Forum.
Responding to a question about Hungarian prime minister-designate Magyar Péter and his pledge to pursue accession as part of anti-corruption measures, Kövesi said the announcement had generated strong interest within the organization. She noted that both she and the selection committee welcomed the prospect, stressing that Hungarian professionals would be a valuable addition.
Kövesi added that cooperation with some Hungarian experts has already taken place in recent years, describing them as highly skilled and capable of contributing significantly to the EPPO’s work.
On the accession process, she explained that Hungarian authorities would first need to formally notify the European Commission of their intention to join. This would then be followed by the necessary legal and institutional steps.
She emphasized that the EPPO is ready to provide full support throughout the process, drawing on its experience with 22 participating member states. She also noted that Sweden and Poland are in the process of joining the body.
According to Kövesi, the speed of Hungary’s accession would depend primarily on its legislative process, as EPPO regulations must be incorporated into national law before cooperation can begin.
Addressing questions about the potential scope of investigations, she pointed out that member states can determine whether the EPPO’s jurisdiction applies retroactively or only to crimes committed after accession. She cited Poland as an example of retroactive application, while Sweden opted for a forward-looking mandate.
The EPPO, headquartered in Luxembourg and operational since 2021, is responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes affecting the EU’s financial interests, including large-scale VAT fraud, corruption, and misuse of EU funds.
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