This meeting was part of a wider three-day event that brought together senior judicial representatives from Latin American, Western Balkan and MENA partners, in one of the largest assemblies of third-country partners ever hosted at Eurojust. The meeting focused on strengthening operational cooperation between these regions and the EU, and among the regions themselves. This joint effort aims to reinforce collective responses to serious and organised crime, which continues to evolve with an increasingly transnational dimension.

The meeting opened with a high-level panel featuring addresses by the President of Eurojust, after which Prosecutors General from Latin American and Western Balkan jurisdictions intervened to share national perspectives, common challenges and priorities for enhanced judicial coordination.

Since 2024, the Western Balkans Criminal Justice (WBCJ) Project has significantly strengthened ties between Latin American and Western Balkan jurisdictions, including by organising a major event in Lima in February 2025. Building on this, the high-level gathering at Eurojust represented an important step forward, further strengthening judicial cooperation and fostering trust among partners. Participating authorities used this opportunity to hold 26 bilateral discussions and sign 17 Memoranda of Understanding, reinforcing their long-term commitment to jointly tackling global organised crime. 

The event highlighted the continued commitment of Latin American and Western Balkan partners to cooperate, supported by Eurojust’s mandate and expertise. It also underscored the strategic role of the WBCJ Project in facilitating dialogue, fostering peer-to-peer exchanges, and building the operational foundations necessary for effective cross-border investigations.