The Epstein files reach the EU as the name of Maroš Šefčovič emerges; the commissioner rejects “any implication”

Brussels – The Epstein files reach the Old Continent and the borders of the European Union. After the names of Miroslav Lajčák, Special Representative in the Western Balkans from 2020 to 2025, and Peter Mandelson, former EU Trade Commissioner, the documents gradually being declassified on Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities also include the name of Maros Šefčovič, member of the College of Commissioners since 2019 and currently responsible for trade. Šefčovič said he was “bewildered” and “categorically rejected any insinuation.” 

The response from the Slovak commissioner — a trusted ally of Ursula von der Leyen who negotiated the tariff deal with the United States — was read out this morning by spokesperson Balazs Ujvari during the Commission’s daily press briefing. “I have never had any direct or indirect contact, communication, or meeting with Jeffrey Epstein. I did not authorize any requests, nor did I consent to anyone mentioning my name to Jeffrey Epstein, including Miroslav Lajcak. Any such mention was made without my knowledge. I have never been approached for any meeting or contact with Jeffrey Epstein.  I am shocked that my name was used in that exchange without my knowledge or consent, and I categorically reject any implication of my involvement in that​,” Ujvari said on his behalf.

It is unclear how Šefčovič’s involvement is described, but his name appears alongside that of his compatriot Lajčák, the Slovak Foreign Minister at the time of his exchange with Epstein and, before his resignation on Saturday, national security adviser to current Prime Minister Robert Fico. Regarding Lajčák, the European Commission stated today that “these matters fall within the competence of the national authorities.”

The case of Mandelson, a British politician who exchanged numerous emails with Epstein between 2004 and 2008, specifically during the period when he held the position of European Commissioner, is different. Ujvari stated today that “some new documents have been made available” on Mandelson and that the Commission “will assess, in light of these new documents, whether there have been any violations of internal rules”.