Former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini has been formally charged with “procurement fraud and corruption” in connection with an EU-funded training scheme for future European diplomats. She was released after questioning, as she was not considered a flight risk.
According to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), Mogherini and two other individuals were notified of charges including procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest and violation of professional secrecy. The charges relate to contracts awarded in 2021–2022 to the College of Europe, where she has served as Rector since 2020, for the European Union Diplomatic Academy training programme. The contract was valued at approximately €650,000.
Mogherini, aged 52, was detained on Tuesday following searches carried out by Belgian federal police at the College of Europe campus in Bruges, at the Brussels premises of the European External Action Service (EEAS), and at the homes of suspects. The EPPO investigation concerns whether the tender process for the Diplomatic Academy was improperly influenced in favour of the College of Europe. She was questioned alongside the deputy rector of the College and Stefano Sannino, former Secretary-General of the EEAS from 2021 to 2024. All three were released after being informed of the accusations.
The European Commission confirmed that searches were conducted at the EEAS, specifying that the inquiry concerns activities carried out under a previous mandate. The investigation is being led by a judge in Western Belgium and is supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), which first received the allegations. The College of Europe has stated it will fully cooperate with authorities.
Who is Federica Mogherini
Federica Mogherini was born in Rome in 1973. She began her political involvement as a teenager and joined the Italian Communist Youth Federation in 1988. After the dissolution of the Italian Communist Party, she joined the centre-left Democratic Party (PD). Her political career advanced in 2008 when she entered the Italian parliament with a focus on foreign affairs.
In 2014, she became Italy’s Foreign Minister under Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. The same year, she was appointed EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in the Juncker Commission. As the EU’s chief diplomat, she chaired the Foreign Affairs Council, coordinated EU external policy and played a key role in negotiations on the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA).
After leaving office in 2019, Mogherini became Rector of the College of Europe in 2020. The institution, based in Bruges, is a postgraduate school specialising in European studies and is considered a training ground for future EU officials. In 2022, she also took over the leadership of the EU Diplomatic Academy programme.
Source: FRANCE 24, Euronews & AFP