Overeenkomst gesloten om vervalsing van euro's terug te dringen (en)

The EU member states have agreed at the Coreper in Brussels on October 2 on legislation improving the protection of the euro counterfeiting by criminal law, giving the Council the mandate to initiate the negotiations with the European Parliament.

“This agreement is indeed very important in improving the security of the EU common currency, the second most important international currency in the world. This directive from the beginning was one of the Presidency’s priorities in the Justice area. Knowing very well the scope of the problem and its impact on the Union’s financial interests, the Presidency has devoted special attention to achieve the best possible agreement in the shortest time” said ambassador Raimundas Karoblis, chair of the Coreper. “The subject of this directive is also very important for Lithuania itself as it aims to join the European Monetary Union.”

The directive on the protection of the euro and other currencies against counterfeiting by criminal law, when adopted, should ensure more effective protection not only of the notes and coins in circulation but also those not yet issued but designated for circulation as legal tender. It should improve the intergovernmental cooperation among judicial and law enforcement authorities.

This legislative proposal is aimed at ensuring effective protection of the euro against counterfeiting by improving definitions of criminal offences and establishing dissuasive sanctions in the area of counterfeiting of the euro and other currencies. To undercut the financial motivation of the criminality Member States take the responsibility to provide in their national legislation for effective, proportional and dissuasive criminal sanctions for individuals and legal entities to ensure that such crimes do not pay off. The directive also introduces efficient mechanisms to fight these crimes, such as special methods of investigation as well as identification, analysis and transmission of counterfeits during the criminal proceedings.

The available data and the assessment by the European Commission show that currency counterfeiting is one of the most widespread criminal offences with a considerable negative effect on the society in the euro zone. The annual losses amount to at least 500 million euros and the damage is borne primarily by law-abiding EU citizens and companies. Due to the serious nature and the impact of such crimes on citizens and businesses it is of fundamental importance to ensure trust and confidence in the authenticity of notes and coins for citizens, companies and financial institutions.