As organised crime travels across borders, so must judicial cooperation. As a facilitator of cross-border judicial cooperation, Eurojust not only ensures that authorities from EU Member States can work together efficiently to investigate serious cross-border crimes, but also facilitates cooperation with countries outside the EU. Through various cooperation agreements, Eurojust brings partner countries and Member States closer together. The Working Arrangement signed with Egypt will strengthen cooperation with the country in the fight against serious organised crime. 

Eurojust President Mr Michael Schmid commented on the new Working Arrangement: It is a great pleasure for Eurojust to welcome Prosecutor General Mohamed Shawky to Eurojust today and to conclude a Working Arrangement with the Public Prosecution Office of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Both our sides share many challenges in fighting organised crime, and we are keen on stepping up our joint response. While it does not allow for the exchange of personal data, the Working Arrangement we are signing today is a clear expression of our commitment to grow closer together as judicial professionals so that justice can be done across borders.

Cooperation with Egyptian authorities is already ongoing through Eurojust’s Contact Points. Contact Points make it easier for national authorities to liaise with Member States. Egyptian authorities have already been involved in cross-border investigations at Eurojust. They are also part of the EuroMed Justice, an EU-funded project implemented by Eurojust to strengthen strategic and operational cooperation in judicial criminal matters with the EU and partners in the Southern Neighbourhood. 

The Working Arrangement was signed during a visit by Prosecutor General Mr Mohamed Shawky to Eurojust in The Hague. The Prosecutor General said: We emphasise that cooperation with Eurojust offers distinct and promising opportunities to support criminal justice. For example by exchanging information and expertise between the Egyptian Public Prosecution and its counterparts in European countries, strengthening mechanisms for international judicial cooperation to ensure prompt and effective justice and developing the technical skills of public prosecutors.

In the same week, EuroMed Justice organised a workshop in Cairo on the protection of cultural heritage. Over 40 judges, prosecutors and experts from 14 countries from Europe and the MENA region met to exchange best practices and explore potential avenues for international judicial cooperation in combating the illicit trafficking of cultural heritage.