EuroMed Justice

The EuroMed Justice project aims to develop sustainable cooperation mechanisms for cross-border judicial cooperation in criminal matters between Member States of the European Union and the South Partner Countries – Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine* and Tunisia. EuroMed Justice brings together the most relevant stakeholders in the field of criminal justice from the South Partner Countries, participating EU Member States, representatives from European Union bodies and from international organisations active in the field of justice and security.

* This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the initial positions of the Member States on this issue.

Scope

EMJ Leaflet

EuroMed Justice Project

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The EuroMed Justice project is currently in phase VI (2024-2027). It is funded by the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) of the European Commission and implemented by Eurojust since phase V (2020-2023).

The overall objective of the sixth phase of EuroMed Justice is to strengthen the strategic and operational cooperation in judicial criminal matters in order to contribute to the protection of the citizens of the European Union and of the South Partner Countries against criminal activities, with due respect to the rule of law and human rights.

Building on the previous phases of the project, this sixth phase of EuroMed Justice puts more emphasis on practical operational cooperation. It notably facilitates cooperation in cross-border cases, also providing ad-hoc technical assistance upon the request of South Partner Countries and Member States of the European Union.

Specific objectives:

  1. Strengthened strategic and operational cooperation in judicial criminal matters in the cross-Mediterranean region on three axes: (1) between South Partner Countries, (2) between South Partner Countries and EU Member States and (3) between South Partner Countries and EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies and bodies, in particular Eurojust and the European Judicial Network.
  2. Enhanced capacities of South Partner Countries to fight serious and organised crime throughout efficient and effective international judicial cooperation.

How does the project achieve its goals?

Continuing to support the strategical cooperation mechanism established in the previous phases of the project:

  • EuroMed Justice Expert Group in Criminal Matters (CrimEx): fosters the cross-region’s ownership in the implementation of the project, builds trust and mutual confidence, and exchanges good practices and lessons learned.
  • EuroMed Prosecutors General Forum (PG Forum): gives strategic direction and endorsement to the work of CrimEx, identifies prosecution related challenges, and recommends solutions.

Strengthening the EuroMed Justice Network (EMJNet): a cross-Mediterranean network composed of practitioners to strengthen contacts and operational cooperation between criminal justice authorities from South Partner Countries and EU Member States.

Organising joint trainings and workshops for EU Member States and South Partner Countries, focused on practical aspects of judicial cooperation and case studies, as well as trainings of trainers for South Partner Countries based on the EuroMed Justice products.

Providing ad-hoc technical assistance upon the request of minimum two participating countries to support activities not foreseen in the original plans, organising operational meetings among South Partner Countries and between South Partner Countries and EU Member States, with the possible participation of Eurojust.

Organising meetings on the benefits of international agreements, facilitating developments in the data protection regimes of South Partner Countries and organising visiting professional stays at Eurojust to support the negotiation of international agreements between Eurojust and South Partner Countries.

Mechanisms

EuroMed Prosecutors General Forum (PG Forum)

EMJ PG Forum gives strategic direction and endorsement to the work of CrimEx. It identifies and discusses prosecution related challenges, recommends solutions and offers the opportunity for bilateral discussion on high-level cases.

2021 - Eurojust | 2022 - Eurojust | 2023 – Written procedure


EuroMed Justice Expert Group in Criminal Matters (CrimEx)

At the core of EMJ, the CrimEx fosters the cross-region’s ownership in the implementation of the project, builds trust and mutual confidence, exchanges good practices and lessons learned. It identifies documents and guiding tools to be produced for the SPCs (e.g. legal and gap analysis, recommendations, guidelines, manuals, studies).

16th – online | 17th – Rome | 18th – Larnaca | 19th – The Hague


EuroMed Justice Network (EMJNet)

EMJNet is a cross-Mediterranean network - intertwined with CrimEx - composed of practitioners to strengthen the contacts and the operational cooperation between criminal justice authorities from SPCs and EUMS. It also promotes the use of modern cooperation tools and instruments in specific operational situations

1st – Rome | 2nd – Larnaca | 3rd – The Hague | 4th – Madrid