The Commission presents a report concerning the implementation and the results of the Pericles programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting in 2014.
Implementation of the programme and results: the annual budget for the implementation of the programme for the year 2014 was set at EUR 924 200. A total of EUR 878 517 was committed in 2014. The Commission considers that the implementation of the Programme reflected the commitment of Member States to protect the euro against counterfeiting.
In the year 2014, the Programme funded 10 projects; of these projects, 6 originated from the competent authorities of euro area Member States. The Regulation, which should extend the application of the ''Pericles 2020'' programme to non-euro area Member States, is in the process of adoption by the EU legislator. Therefore, in 2014, the programme was only applicable to euro area Member States.
Action and participants: the actions for which commitments were made in 2014 consisted of three seminars, three technical trainings, two staff exchanges and two studies. Specific focus areas in 2014 were Latin America (Chile and Colombia), the South East of Europe (Albania and Turkey) and the Mediterranean region.
In terms of origin, participants come from 57 countries. The majority of trainees (56%) are European participants: 33% come from the European Union Member States, while non-EU countries in Europe represents the second largest group at 23%; 18% of trainees are from Latin America (mainly Colombia and Chile), and 12% come from the Middle East and North Africa.
With respect to the professional background of participants, members from police forces represent 44% of the total. There was increased participation from Central Banks (18%), commercial banks (7%), judicial staff (6%) and Mints (6%).
Overview of actions committed to in 2014: the Programme shows a high degree of consistency and complementarity with other relevant programmes and actions at Union level, such as OLAF’s Hercules III programme (which protects the Union’s financial interests) and DG HOME's Internal Security Fund – Police (which covers the prevention and combating of crime in general). The report goes on to note:
A particular highlight of the 2014 ''Pericles 2020'' programme is the 3rd International Conference on the Protection of the Euro against Counterfeiting, held in Frankfurt from 24 to 27 March 2015, and jointly organised with Europol and the European Central Bank. It brought together more than 170 experts from over 40 nationalities in workshops and presentations. The conference was highly successful in exchanging best practices and laying the basis for increased multidisciplinary cooperation between and among the European Institutions, Member States and third countries.
Conclusion and priorities for 2015: the report concludes that the ''Pericles 2020'' programme continues to be an important and effective tool in the fight against counterfeiting. It forms the basis for the support of studies, maintaining and developing cooperation, and exchanging best practices among all actors involved in the fight against euro counterfeiting. Based on the results of the implementation of the Programme and the continuous analysis of emerging threats discussed in the Euro Counterfeiting Expert Group, the priorities for 2015 are the following: