European Parliament calls for a rigorous fight against fraud: more control, digitalisation and efficiency

Fraud involving EU money is set to soar in 2023, prompting the European Parliament to adopt a report calling for modernised instruments, strong enforcement and stronger cooperation between European institutions. It places particular emphasis on the misuse of technology and the need for responsible deployment of artificial intelligence.

According to the approved report, a record 13 563 cases of fraud and irregularities were reported in 2023 - 9% more than the previous year. The financial impact of these cases amounted to €1.9 billion, an increase of 7.3% year-on-year. MEPs warn that this is a continuing negative trend and call for a better link between budget spending and the performance of accountable institutions.

Parliament highlights the growing role of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), which opened 1 371 new investigations in 2023 and handled almost 2 000 active cases in total. MEPs appreciate the transparency of its work, but call for greater efficiency - not only in the number of cases investigated, but also in the real resources recovered.

The report stresses the need to digitise and modernise fraud detection tools, including the use of artificial intelligence. At the same time, however, Parliament warns that technology must be used responsibly and with an emphasis on legal safeguards and democratic scrutiny.

In addition to technical and institutional reforms, Parliament also calls for the rule of law to be applied rigorously in all Member States. According to MEPs, effective protection of the EU budget is closely linked to the quality of governance, the independence of the judiciary and respect for the Union's fundamental values.