(1)

The EPPO was established by Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.

(2)

The European Prosecutors are to supervise investigations and prosecutions in accordance with Article 12 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.

(3)

By means of Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1117 (4), Mr Frédéric BAAB and Ms Yvonne FARRUGIA were appointed as European Prosecutors of the EPPO for a non-renewable period of 6 years until 28 July 2026, having been nominated by France and Malta, respectively.

(4)

To ensure the continuity of functioning of the EPPO College, which consists of the European Chief Prosecutor and one European Prosecutor per participating Member State, it is necessary for the Council to appoint a European Prosecutor for the two positions that will become vacant.

(5)

Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1696 lays down the operating rules of the selection panel provided for in Article 14(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 (the ‘operating rules of the selection panel’).

(6)

Pursuant to Article 16(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, each participating Member State is to nominate three candidates for the position of European Prosecutor from among candidates who are active members of the public prosecution service or judiciary of the relevant Member State, whose independence is beyond doubt and who possess the qualifications required for appointment to high prosecutorial or judicial office in their respective Member States, and who have relevant practical experience of national legal systems, of financial investigations and of international judicial cooperation in criminal matters.

(7)

France and Malta have each nominated three candidates for the position of European Prosecutor.

(8)

For each of the two positions, the selection panel drew up a reasoned opinion and the ranking for each of the candidates who fulfilled the conditions set out in Article 16(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 and submitted them to the Council, which received them on 6 May 2026.

(9)

Pursuant to the Rule VII.2, fourth paragraph, of the operating rules of the selection panel, the selection panel ranked the candidates for each of the two positions according to their qualifications and experience. The ranking indicates the selection panel’s order of preference and is not binding on the Council.

(10)

Pursuant to Article 16(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, after having received the reasoned opinion of the selection panel, the Council is to select and appoint one of the candidates to be the European Prosecutor of the participating Member State in question.

(11)

Pursuant to Article 16(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, the Council, acting by simple majority, is to select and appoint the European Prosecutors for a non-renewable term of 6 years.

(12)

The Council assessed the respective merits of the candidates, taking into account the reasoned opinions submitted by the selection panel for each of the two positions.

(13)

On the basis of an assessment of the respective merits of the candidates, the Council followed the non-binding order of preference indicated by the selection panel in each of the reasoned opinions for the candidates nominated by France and Malta,

Philippe JAEGLÉ

Omar CARUANA