COUNCIL ACT of 27 September 1996 drawing up a Protocol to the Convention on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests (96/C 313/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article K.3 (2) (c) thereof,

Whereas, for the purposes of achieving the objectives of the Union, the Member States regard the combating of crime damaging the European Communities' financial interests as a matter of common interest coming under the cooperation provided for in Title VI of the Treaty;

Whereas by its Act of 26 July 1995 the Council drew up, as a first agreement, the Convention on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests which is intended more specifically to combat fraud that damages those interests;

Whereas, as a second stage, this Convention needs to be supplemented by a protocol directed in particular at acts of corruption that involve national and Community officials and damage or are likely to damage the European Communities' financial interests;

DECIDES that the Protocol, the text of which is set out in the Annex hereto and which is signed today by the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States of the Union, is hereby drawn up;

RECOMMENDS that it be adopted by the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements.

Done at Brussels, 27 September 1996.

For the Council

The President

M. LOWRY