submit observations. The Contractor  shall receive a final report within 60 (sixty) days following the expiry of that deadline. 

7. On the basis of the final audit findings, Europol may recover all or part of the payments made in accordance with Article II -12 (“Recovery”) and may take any other measures which it considers necessary. 

8. The European Court of Auditors, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office established by Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 27 (‘the EPPO’) and, for the processing of personal data, the European Data Protection Supervisor have has the same rights as Europol, particularly a right of access, for the purpose of conducting checks audits and investigations. 

9. In addition, in accordance with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspection carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities and Regulation No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) may carry out investigations, including on the spot checks and inspections, to establish whether there has been fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity under the contract affecting the financial interests of the Union. Findings arising from an investigation may lead to criminal prosecution under national law. Investigations may be carried out at any moment within the period as specified at paragraph (2) above. 

## Applicable law and Dispute Settlement 

## Article II-25 

1. The Framework Contract  is governed by European Union law, complemented where necessary by the law of the Netherlands. 

2. Any dispute between the parties resulting from the interpretation and/or application of the Framework Contract which cannot be settled amicably shall be brought before the courts of The Hague. 

3. In addition to the court proceedings mentioned in paragraph 2 above, the Contractor  may submit a complaint to the European Ombudsman ( www.ombudsman.europa.eu). The European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration in the EU institutions and bodies. 

4. Without prejudice to paragraph 1 and 2 above, in the event that any dispute arises between the parties resulting from the interpretation or implementation of the Framework Contract and the dispute is not resolved by negotiation, the parties may agree to submit the dispute to mediation. 

5. If any party to the dispute gives written notice to the other party of its desire to commence mediation, and the other party agrees in writing, the parties shall jointly appoint a mutually acceptable mediator within 2 (two) weeks of the date of the said written agreement. If the parties are unable to agree upon the appointment of the mediator within that time period, any party may apply to a court, organisation or person agreed by the parties when signing the Framework Contract , for the appointment of a mediator. 

6. The mediator’s written proposal or his written conclusion stating that no proposal can be made, shall be produced within 2 (two) months of the date of the written agreement by the second party 

