Article 24 02 01 — Operational programmes in the fight against fraud

Remarks

This appropriation is intended to cover actions or activities organised in the framework of the Hercule II programme in the field of the protection of the Community’s financial interests, including in the field of the prevention of and the fight against cigarette smuggling and counterfeiting.

This appropriation covers:

• development and improvement of investigative methods and technical resources in the fight against fraud, and improvement in the quality of technical and operational support for investigations more particularly technical assistance to national authorities involved in the fight against fraud, including the fight against cigarette smuggling,

• promotion and improvement of cooperation between the Member States and Community and between practitioners and academics,

• provision of information and support for activities relating to data access.

Any revenue from the contributions from candidate countries and, if applicable, the western Balkan potential candidate countries for participating in Community programmes, entered in Item 6 0 3 1 of the statement of revenue, may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations pursuant to Article 18(1)(d) of the Financial Regulation.

Legal basis

Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities (OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2).

Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF) (OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1).

Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF) (OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 8).

Decision No 804/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 establishing a Community action programme to promote activities in the field of the protection of the Community's financial interests (Hercule programme) (OJ L 143, 30.4.2004, p. 9).

Article 24 02 02 — Pericles

Remarks

This appropriation is intended to finance the Pericles programme for training, exchange and assistance for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting.

Legal basis

Council Decision 2001/923/EC of 17 December 2001 establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the ‘Pericles‚ programme) (OJ L 339, 21.12.2001, p. 50).

Council Decision 2001/924/EC of 17 December 2001 extending the effects of the Decision establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (‘Pericles‚ programme) to the Member States which have not adopted the euro as the single currency (OJ L 339, 21.12.2001, p. 55).

Reference acts

Commission Communication of 22 July 1998 to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Central Bank — ‘Protection of the euro — Combating counterfeiting‚ (COM(1998) 474 final).

Resolution of the European Parliament of 17 November 1998 on the communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Central Bank, ‘Protection of the euro — Combating counterfeiting‚ (OJ C 379, 7.12.1998, p. 39).

Article 24 02 03 — Anti-fraud information system (AFIS)

Remarks

This appropriation is intended to finance the cost of feasibility studies and the development and production of new, dedicated anti-fraud computer applications forming the infrastructure of the Anti-fraud information system AFIS. AFIS is intended to support competent authorities in preventing and combating fraudulent activities detrimental to the budget of the European Union by ensuring fast and secure exchange of information among relevant authorities in the Member States and between them and the Commission.

Legal basis

Council Regulation (EC) No 515/97 of 13 March 1997 on mutual assistance between the administrative authorities of the Member States and cooperation between the latter and the Commission to ensure the correct application of the law on customs and agricultural matters (OJ L 82, 22.3.1997, p. 1), and in particular Article 23 thereof.

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