Belgium

Interview with National Member Hilde Vandevoorde

What strikes you most about working at Eurojust?

The good working relations that are existing between all the desks. The friendly and professional way the contacts between colleagues are taking place are really one of the most special things about working at Eurojust.

All problems, big and small, in the field of international cooperation in criminal matters are addressed in the same professional and respectful way.

Could you describe a case that you have supported and which had a particularly successful outcome?

As the cases at Eurojust are considered confidential, it is very difficult to give details of cases, but I can refer to several crime types handled at the Belgian desk: counter terrorism, organised crime groups, human trafficking, drug related criminality, cybercrime…etc.

Which of the services and tools available through Eurojust do you consider most important for national judicial authorities – and why?

One of the most important tools Eurojust can provide is the organisation of coordination meetings. Bringing all colleagues from involved Member States and third States together around the table with the necessary interpretation and logistics has proven to be the best way to achieve good results in the coordination between ongoing judicial investigations in different countries. The possibilities that Eurojust offer in the framework of the Joined Investigation Teams is another important tool. The support can be of different nature, but the financial support is of course a big help for the involved countries.

To conclude, we should not forget the help Eurojust can offer on both operational and strategic level via the support of the colleagues of the Eurojust staff.