Malta is lobbying for one of its citizens to be appointed as the European Public Prosecutor, Times of Malta has learnt.

The role has yet to be set up but already enjoys legislative backing.

Article 86 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU says the EU Council can establish a European Public Prosecutor’s Office after obtaining consent from the European Parliament.

Sources within the Parliamentary Secretariat for Justice told Times of Malta that lobbying is underway for a person to be appointed to the role. Parliamentary Secretary Owen Bonnici was promoting the idea of appointing a Maltese person, the sources added.

“We are trying to push a Maltese name for the post because Malta needs to start filling important posts at EU level,” sources said.

Asked whether anyone had been earmarked for the position, the sources said the Government was not “zeroing in on any particular names” for the time being.

The European Public Prosecutor would be responsible for “investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment” people who commit crimes against the EU’s financial interests, in liaison with Europol.

“It shall exercise the functions of prosecutor in the competent courts of the member states in relation to such offences,” according to the treaty.

A person who has long called for the establishment of this position is the director-general of the EU’s anti-fraud agency Olaf, Giovanni Kessler. Some had even suggested him for the position of European Public Prosecutor.

Ironically, Dr Kessler has come under fire for the way he conducted the investigation that has become known as Dalligate, which precipitated the resignation of European Commissioner John Dalli.

Dr Bonnici accepted an invitation by the Lithuanian Justice Minister to meet in September to discuss the matter.