​The Hague, 11 October 2016

​Today, Sir Julian King, EU Commissioner for Security Union, was introduced by Ms Michèle Coninsx, the President of Eurojust, to the College of Eurojust. The objective of his visit was to familiarise himself with Eurojust’s work in the fight against serious crime, particularly terrorism.

The President presented Eurojust’s role in supporting and strengthening coordination and cooperation between national authorities in the Member States in their investigations and prosecutions.

Eurojust is a demand-driven organisation, and has faced a steady increase in cases over the last 10 years, meaning that Eurojust’s services are needed, recognised and valued by the Member States. Eurojust is dealing with terrorism, cybercrime and illegal immigrant smuggling. The President provided insight into Eurojust’s operational and strategic activities in counter-terrorism. National Members presented recent terrorism cases to demonstrate the vital role and added value of Eurojust in judicial cooperation. Further, Commissioner King was briefed on the bridge established with the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) at Europol through the temporary placement of a specialised prosecutor from Eurojust to this centre, allowing for early judicial follow-up in cybercrime cases.

Commissioner King said, 'Eurojust plays a pivotal supporting role in our wider fight against terrorism and organised crime – facilitating and promoting coordination between Member States' law enforcement authorities. This means that investigations and prosecutions can be more effective. The recent example of the French and Belgian terror attacks is a case in point, which underlines Eurojust's added value: they helped French and Belgian prosecutors and investigative judges by providing advice and coordinating complex investigations. I want to support Eurojust further in this role – which will help us, with other agencies, deliver an effective and sustainable Security Union.'

President Coninsx said, 'We are pleased with the visit of Commissioner King, and the opportunity for a first dialogue on how to together effectively tackle issues surrounding counter-terrorism, foreign terrorist fighters and radicalisation, as well as other serious crimes. Eurojust is an integral part of the security chain, helping the Member States by providing a solid criminal justice response to the security threats. We are looking forward to working closely with Commissioner King towards a more secure Union.'

Video 1: Commissioner King video statement

 

 

 

Related links

Sir Julian King
European Agenda on Security: Paving the way towards a Security Union
First Security Union progress Report
Terrorism, illegal immigrant smuggling and cybercrime on Eurojust's agenda
Eurojust updates LIBE Committee on criminal justice response to foreign terrorist fighters
Joint action against radical Islamist terrorist group coordinated at Eurojust