This document is intended to provide guidance on composition, activities and cooperation with external partners and non-EU States of the Network of National Experts on Joint Investigation Teams (hereinafter “JITs Network”) and further elaborates on the principles set out in Council document 11037/05 – Joint investigation teams - Proposal for designation of national experts’ (hereinafter “Council document”).

During the 13th Annual meeting of the JITs Network, the JITs national experts – while acknowledging the added value of the informal setting of the JITs Network – identified the need to elaborate and adopt additional specific guidance. It was emphasized in particular that a more detailed framework would be beneficial for the work of the JITs national experts and could bring clarity, especially with regards to the involvement of external partners and non-EU States, the level of engagement of the JITs national experts in the JITs Network projects, and the access to the JITs Restricted Area.