H European Commission announced today that it has sent a reasoned opinion letter to Hellasbecause it did not correctly transpose the Directive on the combatthrough criminal law, fraud against its financial interests Union (POS directive).
A deadline of two months
These rules, on the one hand, increase the level of protection of the EU budget harmonizing the definitions, sanctions and limitation periods of criminal offenses affecting the financial interests of the Union and, on the one hand, laying the foundations for the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
The Commission sent a warning letter to Greece for the first time on December 2021. After analyzing the responses of the Greek Authorities, the Commission considered that Greece has not correctly transposed into its national law the provisions of the Directive which provide a definition of “passive bribery” and “public official”. In addition, the Commission considered that certain provisions notified by Greece provide for rules that limit the effectiveness and deterrence of the penalties provided for criminal offences which fall within the scope of the directive.
For this reason, Commission decided to send a reasoned opinion to Greece, which has two months to respond and correct the deficiencies pointed out by the Commission. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the case at the Court of Justice of the European Union.
