Pericles action programme 2002-13

The Pericles programme promotes cooperation between the national, European and international authorities responsible for combating counterfeiting of the euro. The measures envisaged include exchanges of information (seminars, workshops, meetings and conferences), training, exchanges of staff and technical, scientific and operational assistance.

ACT

Council Decision 2001/923/EC of 17 December 2001 establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (Pericles programme) [See amending acts].

SUMMARY

This Decision establishes the Pericles action programme putting in place training and technical assistance for the authorities responsible for combating counterfeiting. Initially intended to run from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2005, the programme was extended to 31 December 2013.

The programme finances in-service training courses, specialist workshops, staff exchanges and any other activity that improves the expertise of those concerned by the single currency (police officers, customs officials, financial officials, representatives of the national central banks and national mints, specialised magistrates and lawyers, or any other professional group concerned). The content of training is multidisciplinary and transnational. It embraces security aspects, the exchange of information, and technical and scientific back-up.

In addition, the Commission makes provision for active contributions of specialist bodies such as the ESCB (European System of Central Banks), the NACs/CNACs (National Analysis Centres/Coin National Analysis Centres) and the ETSC (European Technical and Scientific Centre). Europol, Interpol and the national central anti-counterfeiting offices set up under the Geneva International Convention for the Suppression of Counterfeiting Currency of 20 April 1929 may also participate.

Under certain circumstances, the programme is open to participation by candidate countries and third countries. By Decision 2001/924/EC, the Council also extended the Pericles programme to the Member States which have not adopted the euro.

Projects under the programme may emanate from the competent authorities in the Member States or from the Commission. Member States may present one project a year concerning workshops, meetings or seminars. In order to select the projects submitted to it, the Commission takes the following into account:

• the European dimension of the project;
• compliance with the programme's objectives;
• the quality of the project in terms of its design, organisation, presentation, objectives and cost-effectiveness ratio;
• compatibility with work under way or planned by the European Union.

The Commission is responsible for evaluating the way in which projects have been implemented. For that purpose, the beneficiaries of the selected projects must send a final report to the Commission.

The amount allocated for the implementation of the programme for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013 is EUR 7 million.

Background

The Nice European Council called on the Member States to adopt efficient arrangements to prevent counterfeiting of the euro as soon as possible in 2001. A Council Framework Decision on increasing protection of the euro by criminal penalties was adopted, as was a Regulation on the necessary protection measures. The Commission feels that these initiatives should be supplemented by training measures for the professionals concerned by the introduction of the new currency.

RELATED ACTS

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and to the Council of 23 May 2006 concerning the implementation and results of the Pericles programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting [COM(2006) 243 final - Not published in the Official Journal]. Through exchanging information and fostering cooperation, the Pericles programme is helping to protect the euro from counterfeiting. Training and technical assistance play an important role in maintaining and building on the results currently achieved. The Report recommends that the programme is renewed for a further period of at least four years and that the emphasis is placed on practical training. Priority should be given to exchanges of staff and specific training.

Commission Decision 2005/37/EC of 29 October 2004 establishing the European Technical and Scientific Centre (ETSC) and providing for coordination of technical actions to protect euro coins against counterfeiting [Official Journal L 19 of 21.1.2005]. This Decision establishes the European Technical and Scientific Centre (ETSC) within the Commission, attached to OLAF. The ETSC analyses and classifies every new type of counterfeit euro coin and assists the Coin National Analysis Centres (CNAC) and the law-enforcement authorities.

See also

• European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF): Pericles

Last updated: 28.10.2011