Fight against fraud and protection of the Communities' financial interests. Annual report 2002

PURPOSE: The 2002 Annual Report on the Protection of the Financial Interests of the Communities and the fight against fraud CONTENT: As in previous years the purpose of this Report is to present what action the Commission has taken with regard to protecting the Community's financial interests. Three aspects are covered. They are: - Community Initiatives - Measures taken by the Member States - Results of operational activities taken by Member States and the Commission to uncover fraud. Generally speaking, the 2002 Annual Report, highlights the interlinking of responsibilities between the various actors involved in anti-fraud activities and how these relate to one another at the different levels - national and EU. The Report notes that the improved flow of information from the Member States allows for better reporting on anti-fraud activities. Commission findings indicate that risks are better covered, especially from the point of view of checks and controls, whether they be controls on operations, audits, investigations and/or prosecutions. Coordination and co-operation amongst the various actors involved in anti-fraud activities are in line with the fours axes of the "Strategic Approach". Community level activities are covered by Title I; National level activities are covered by Title II. Title III, on the other hand, throws light on how investigations are being controlled as well as the recovery process. The overall strategic approach on the fight against fraud allows the Commission, with the help of the Member States, to implement certain specific activities.�