The Council adopted conclusions in which it welcomed the
Commission’s presentation of an annual report and work programme on
protecting the Communities’ financial interests and fighting fraud. It
stressed the need for closer cooperation between the MemberStates
and the Commission in combating organised crime. The Council considered it
necessary to consolidate the implementation of the legal instruments already
in place and stressed the importance of early ratification of the Convention
on the protection of the European Communities’ financial interests and of
other instruments approved by the Council. It believed that such instruments
needed to be made tougher through provisions for prosecuting and punishing
fraudulent acts. The Council fully endorsed the six priority themes presented
by the Commission in its work programme and therefore called on the
Commission to submit as soon as possible all useful proposals in the various
areas of activity.