Podgorica, (MINA) – European Public Prosecutor’s Office is actively cooperating with Montenegro, and Montenegrin prosecutors and police officers are currently being trained, said European Public Prosecutor Laura Kovesi.

Speaking to the Television of Montenegro, Kovesi explained that the EPPO’s primary mandate is to investigate embezzlement of European Union (EU) money.

She recalled that a cooperation agreement with Montenegro was signed in 2022, stating that the cooperation between Montenegro and the Office of the European Public Prosecutor is functioning effectively.

“One aspect of our agreement focuses on training and support. We have already begun training prosecutors and local police officers to exchange experiences and share expertise with them”, said Kovesi, RTCG Portal reports.

According to her, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office conducts over 2600 investigations annually, and last year they the judges acting on EPPO cases ordered confiscation of more than EUR 2 billion.

She emphasized that citizens’ trust in their work is something they have achieved over the years.

The EPPO has jurisdiction in 24 EU member states, as well as in third countries, such as Montenegro, in a situations when EU funds are involved and there is potential financial harm to any of the European institutions.