The announcement came after Bodnar's meeting with the European Chief Prosecutor, Laura Kövesi, in Warsaw on Monday.
The move towards EPPO membership marks a revolutionary shift for the Polish judiciary, signaling enhanced cooperation in fighting financial and organized crime across Europe, according to officials.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office is an independent judicial body of the European Union, established in 2017 between 22 of the EU's 27 member states. Poland could soon become the 23rd participating EU member.
Bodnar emphasized the importance of this development, stating that Poland is not wasting time and is already taking preparatory and technical steps to integrate into the EPPO system, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The minister said that the procedure for joining is a "strengthened cooperation" process, requiring only a declaration from the Polish government and a positive decision from the European Commission.
Additionally, Bodnar told a news conference that Poland aims to have 24 European prosecutors working in three or four EPPO offices, in Warsaw and other cities.
These efforts align with Kövesi's announcement during the conference that European and Polish institutions would collaboratively combat financial crimes and organized crime.
Kövesi told reporters that no country is immune to corruption and tax fraud, warning against the dangerous illusion that any single nation can tackle these issues alone.
She also said that all EPPO actions in Poland would comply with Polish codes and proceedings would be conducted in Polish courts.
In a related context, Bodnar addressed the ongoing reform of Poland's National Council of the Judiciary, the public body responsible for nominating judges and reviewing ethical complaints against sitting jurists.
He mentioned a legislative proposal to ensure the KRS operates in accordance with the constitution.
This reform, separating the KRS from parliamentary influence, aims to restore its constitutional function, ensuring the independence of the judiciary.
The Polish justice minister clarified that the status of over 2,000 judges appointed by the KRS in its new composition would be dealt with in a subsequent regulation, requiring careful consideration and consultation, the PAP news agency reported.
This move towards EPPO membership and the KRS reform are part of Poland's broader efforts to align with European standards and strengthen its legal and judicial systems.
These developments also respond to previous criticisms of Poland's insufficient adherence to EU principles of judicial independence and the rule of law.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP
Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Michał Owczarek.