Opening ceremony and presentation of the project “Strengthening Croatian AFCOS System with the aim of protection of EU financial interests”

The opening ceremony for the Twinning Light project "Strengthening Croatian AFCOS System with the aim of protection of EU financial interests", organised by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Croatia and the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Croatia, was held in the Ministry of Finance.

On this occasion, Ms. Ivana Maletić, State Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Jean-Marie Moreau, Head of the Operations Section, Institution building, social cohesion, Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Croatia, Ms. Mihaela Osorio, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Romania, Ms. Mirjana Jurić, Head of the Independent Department for Combating Irregularities and Fraud, Ministry of Finance, Ms. Simona Stanca, MS Project leader and Mr. Alin Bresug, expert, addressed the audience.

The Twinning Light project "Strengthening Croatian AFCOS System with the aim of protection of EU financial interests" is financed under European Union IPA 2007 Programme for Croatia. The objective of this project worth 250.000 € is the enhancement of Croatian AFCOS System (Anti Fraud Coordinating Structure) for efficient coordination of legislative, administrative and operational activities with the aim of protection of EU financial interests and cooperation with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). Furthermore the project aims on strengthening the coordinative role of the Ministry of Finance, Independent Department for Combating Irregularities and Fraud.

The expected results of the project are:
- Enhanced written procedures on managing of irregularities for bodies within the Croatian AFCOS System
- Trainings provided for representatives of the bodies in the AFCOS System
- Promotional activities conducted for raising public awareness on anti-fraud

The project is conducted by the experts from Romanian Fight Against Fraud Department - DLAF within the Secretariat General of the Romanian Government, and through it's implementation Croatian AFCOS system will strengthen and further develop, in the field of prevention, detection, reporting and follow-up of irregularities and fraud and fighting fraud, corruption and other type of irregularities with regard to the protection of the EU financial interests.