Today marks the conclusion of Sweden’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. One of the top priorities in the domain of justice has been to contribute to international efforts to ensure accountability for the crimes committed in Ukraine. Eurojust and the Swedish authorities have worked closely together over the past six months and taken important steps towards this common goal.
Intensifying efforts to work against impunity for core international crimes was also the theme of this year’s EU Day Against Impunity, which was organised by the Swedish Presidency together with the European Commission, Eurojust and the Genocide Network Secretariat, hosted at the Agency.
The focus has also been on the fight against organised crime. At the end of January, Eurojust was invited by the Swedish Presidency to present its work and operations at the informal meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Stockholm.
In May, for the first time, Eurojust hosted an informal meeting of the Coordinating Committee in the area of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (CATS). The focus was on the fight against impunity regarding crimes committed in connection with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and cooperation with third countries.
During the Presidency, particular progress was made on the following matters:
- EU Member States agreed on new legislation that will make it easier to identify and track the proceeds of crime. This will also provide greater scope for confiscating criminal proceeds,
- EU Member States also agreed to give law enforcement authorities access to bank account details throughout the EU,
- Negotiations between the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament and the European Commission on a Regulation to expand and strengthen the role of the EU Drugs Agency (EMCDDA) were initiated and concluded.
Following the tradition of other Member States holding the Presidency, Sweden organised an exhibition of national art at Eurojust. Several paintings by Mr Björn Wessman, inspired by Sweden’s landscapes, were displayed at the Eurojust building. More information about the artist and his exhibition at Eurojust can be found in the video below.