Justice Ministry defends reforms, cites prior talks with Kovesi

Justice Ministry sources connected Saturday rejected disapproval attributed to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) implicit caller Greek legislative initiatives, pointing to earlier nationalist remarks by European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kovesi arsenic grounds of ongoing coordination with Greek authorities.

The ministry sources said Kovesi’s statements astatine the Delphi Economic Forum connected April 23 indicated substantive connection and an speech of views betwixt the authorities and the EPPO connected planned changes to Greece’s ineligible framework.

They noted that Kovesi said she had met Interior Minister Theodoros Livanios to sermon securing further resources to support investigations and held talks with Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis connected imaginable legislative changes aimed astatine accelerating procedures.

“I understood that they want to bash something to speed up the process. I truly welcome it and I hold that we request to bash something,” Kovesi was quoted arsenic saying by ministry sources, who argued the comments reflected consciousness of and engagement with the projected reforms.

The ministry sources said the remarks contradict suggestions that the EPPO was caught disconnected defender by Greece’s legislative initiatives. They added that Kovesi’s acknowledgment of dialog and information-sharing undermines claims that there was nary coordination.

“The European Chief Prosecutor herself publically recognized that there was substantial connection and coordination with the Greek authorities some connected accelerating procedures and connected indispensable legislative interventions to amended efficiency,” 1 ministry source said. “It is so wide that there was nary surprise connected the portion of the EPPO.”

The effect comes aft reports of a missive from Kovesi to the European Commission expressing concerns implicit caller Greek ineligible changes, including amendments affecting the renewal of European Delegated Prosecutors and a fast-track judicial process for cases involving governmental figures.

According to the EPPO, Kovesi warned that some of the measures could undermine the office’s independency and effectiveness successful Greece and raised concerns astir compliance with obligations under EU treaties.

Greek officials person not straight addressed the substance of the EPPO’s objections successful their latest comments, focusing alternatively connected what they picture arsenic anterior consultation and ongoing dialogue.