Azernews.Az

BAKU – A team from the European anti-fraud office visited Azerbaijan June 13-17 to ensure the regularity and efficiency of how the financial support provided by the European Union is used, the EU delegation said.

The focus of the visit was on the support to civil society projects in Azerbaijan as well as to support the European Union delegation to Azerbaijan in its efforts to ensure the quality and cost-effectiveness of its close cooperation with Azerbaijani civil society. Although not coordinated or aligned with the Azerbaijani government’s ongoing anti-corruption drive, the European Anti-Fraud Office visit followed the same aim of ensuring the correct and efficient use of public funds.

According to the EU, the European Union member states attach great importance to the protection of the financial and economic interests of the community.

In order to strengthen the means of fraud prevention and the fight against such activities, the Commission therefore established within itself, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in 1999. The Office was given responsibility for conducting administrative anti-fraud investigations. OLAF carries out all the powers of investigation conferred on the Commission by Community legislation and the agreements in force with third countries, i.e. the powers of both internal and external investigations.