1 October 2021

On 20 September 2021, the 32nd Report from the European Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the Protection of the EU's Financial Interests: Fight against Fraud 2020 was published on the website of the European Anti-Fraud Office.

The Report has a renewed structure, with a new layout with synoptic tables and relevant graphic illustrations, and a specific 'focus' on the role played by the multiple actors involved in the system for preventing and combating fraud and on their interaction.

Special attention is paid to:

• Setting up the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) actions;
• Promulgating the Regulation concerning the cooperation between the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor's Office, as well as OLAF investigations’ effectiveness;
• Stricter rules on the conditionality of EU budget appropriations whereby breaches of the rule of law affect the protection of EU's financial interests.

The Report also offers some reflections on the new risks and challenges for EU's financial interests emerging from the COVID-19 crisis.

The Annual Report repeatedly mentions Italy among the States that approach the issues proactively and manage fruitful cooperation with EU institutions.