Regulation (EU) 2021/840 establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting for the period 2021-2027 (the ‘Pericles IV’ programme)

What it is

to establish an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting for the period 2021-2027 (Pericles IV programme). PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council. BACKGROUND: the Treaty provides that the European Parliament and the Council are to establish the measures necessary for the use of the euro as the single currency (Article 133 TFEU). Among these measures is the protection of the euro against counterfeiting. On the basis of this article, the protection of the euro as the single currency is the responsibility of the EU. The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the report by Dennis de JONG (S&D, NL) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting for the period 2021-2027 (Pericles IV programme). The committee recommended that the European Parliament's position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission's proposal as follows. The programme should help to prevent and combat counterfeiting and related fraud, thus preserving the integrity of euro banknotes and coins and strengthening the confidence of citizens and businesses in their authenticity and therefore enhancing the trust in the Union’s economy, while and securing the sustainability of public finances. The financial framework for the implementation of the programme for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027 shall be set at EUR 7 700 000 (at current prices). Strengthening cooperation with the European Central Bank and Europol In order to ensure consistency and avoid unnecessary overlap with measures taken by other competent entities, the Commission shall take into account the activities of the ECB and Europol in combating euro counterfeiting and fraud when preparing work programmes. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts to adopt work programmes after consulting the experts appointed by each Member State and the representatives of the ECB and Europol. As regards the key performance indicators, Members replaced those listed in the Commission proposal (Annex) by a set of indicators directly measuring the effectiveness of the programme´s activities The Commission shall provide annually to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Central Bank, Europol, Eurojust and the European Public Prosecutor's Office information on the results of the programme, taking into account the quantitative and qualitative indicators defined in the Annex to the proposal. The European Parliament adopted by 593 votes to 29, with 27 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting for the period 2021-2027 (Pericles IV programme). The…

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