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EUROJUST. Veronika Keller Seconded National Expert for the National Member for Germany (Eurojust). Development. Internationalization of crime rate Traditionally efficient cooperation on police level Establishment of EUROPOL 1995. Legal basis. “Pro-Eurojust” December 2000
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EUROJUST Veronika Keller Seconded National Expertfor the National Memberfor Germany (Eurojust)
Development • Internationalization of crime rate • Traditionally efficient cooperation on police level • Establishment of EUROPOL 1995
Legal basis • “Pro-Eurojust” December 2000 • Eurojust formal creation: Council Decision 2002/187/JHA of 28 February 2002 setting up Eurojust with a view to reinforcing the fight against serious crime • New Eurojust Decision: Council Decision 2009/426/JHA of 16 December 2008 on the strengthening of Eurojust • EU Agency
Objectives - Mandate Article 3 of Eurojust Decision • To stimulate and improve coordination between the competent authorities of the MS • To improve cooperation between the competent authorities of the MS • To support otherwise the competent authorities of the MS Concerning investigations and prosecutions when two or more MS are concerned in relation to serious crime
Composition • College vs. Administration • College consists of 27 National Members (one from each MS) + Deputies + Assistants + Seconded National Experts • National Members are Judges, Prosecutors or Police Officers with equivalent powers (in line with legal system of Member State) • GE (as most of MS): NM is a senior prosecutor
Who are the partners of Eurojust? • Domestic authorities dealing with criminal matters, mainly judicial authorities (Court, PPO), but also police, financial and customs authorities • European Judicial Network - EJN • Europol • OLAF (European Anti-Fraud Office) • Contact Points in Third States (Eurojust data protection rules governing exchange of personal data)
Eurojust and Third States • Contact points in Turkey • Mr. Mustafa Dönen MoJ /General Directorate for International Law and Foreign Relations • Mr. Mehmet Ari MoJ /General Directorate for International Law and Foreign Relations • Mr. Yavuz Aydin MoJ/Directorate General for the EU • Mr. Sinan Yilmaz MoJ/Directorate General for the EU
Eurojust and Third States • Eurojust Agreements with: • NOR (Liaison prosecutor) • ICE • US (Liaison prosecutor) • CRO (Liaison prosecutor) • CH • FYROM • Negotiations ongoing with • Russia • Liechtenstein
Tasks of Eurojust acting through NM Article 6 • May ask the competent authorities of the MS - to undertake investigation or prosecution - to accept that one of them may be in a better position to investigate or prosecute - coordinate between the competent authorities of the MS - set up a JIT - MS to provide any information that is necessary • Shall ensure information exchange on investigations and prosecutions • Shall assist in ensuring coordination • Shall give assistance in order to improve cooperation • Shall cooperate and consult with the EJN • Shall assist investigations and prosecutions concerning only one MS and a third state or the community (agreement of the College)
Tasks of Eurojust acting as a College Article 7 par 1 • May ask the competent authorities of the MS - to undertake investigation or prosecution - to accept that one of them may be in a better position to investigate or prosecute - coordinate between the competent authorities of the MS - set up a JIT - MS to provide any information that is necessary • Shall ensure information exchange on investigations and prosecutions • Shall assist in ensuring coordination • Shall give assistance in order to improve cooperation • Shall cooperate and consult with the EJN • May assist Europol • May supply logistical support (coordination meetings)
Tasks of Eurojust acting as a College Article 7 par 2 • Where NM cannot agree on how to solve a conflict of jurisdiction the College of Eurojust shall issue an non-binding opinion Article 7 par 3 • A competent authority of a MS may report to Eurojust recurrent refusals or difficulties and request the College to issue a written non-binding opinion
How does Eurojust work Eurojust is a permanent body with seat in The Hague/NL What does this mean for the daily work: • Possibility to meet on a daily basis • Possibility to have direct contacts (discussions) • One working language (English) • Non burocratic and flexible cooperation • Spontaneaous and informal communication • National Members canbecontactedbyjudicialauthorities in informal way
How does Eurojust work Eurojust Rules of Procedure • Level I • Level II • Level III – Coordination meeting
Coordination meetings • Coordination - communication facilitated by Eurojust • Coordination meetings - hosted by Eurojust – on exception at another place - direct personal contact between representatives of judicial and police authorities of the involved countries - financial support by Eurojust - travel and accomodation costs of participants - simultaneous translation - involvement of Europol (AWF) and OLAF
Coordination meetings • Simultaneous interpretation • Possibility to hand over documents • Informal information on the state of proceedings (to prepare possible later tailor-made LoRs) • Verification of requirements for MLA • Development of a joint strategy (who investigates/prosecutes what) • Discussion JIT
Joint Investigation Teams • FD on Joint Investigation Teams of 13 June 2002 • Eurojust and Europol “ Guide on EU Member States’ Legislation on JIT’s” – presented in November 2006 • Yearly meetings of the JITs National Experts • Possibility for EU funding Agreement between Eurojust and the European Commission to allow for financial and logistical support of JITs - travel and accomodation costs - translation and interpretation costs - loan of laptops with secure connection, secure mobile phones
Eurojust case involving JIT • Multilateral case involving three MS • JIT was agreed between country A and B • Jit was agreed between country A and C • Eurojust was asked for coordination - discussion of problems - information exchange - clarification of expectations - obstacles could be solved • One JIT between A, B and C • Eurojust became Member of the JIT • JIT fundings • JIT also possible with Third States (2nd Protocol to CoE MLA Convention)
Future of Eurojust • Council Decision of 16 December 2008 on the strengthening of Eurojust 2009/426/JHA • Came into force on 04 June 2009 • Implementation in the MS no later than 04 June 2011 • Main aims - Strengthening of the powers of National Members - On-Call Coordination (OCC) - Eurojust National Coordination System (ENCS) - Information Exchange - Strengthening of External Relations/Liaison Magistrates