Fight against transnational crime: the EU is exploring new partnerships between Eurojust and third countries

Brussels – To promote greater cooperation between courts and public prosecutors in the fight against organised crime is the aim of the proposal presented today (7 September) by the European Commission. The Commission aims to provide a more effective response to crimes such as drug trafficking, cybercrime, and money laundering through further partnerships between Eurojust—the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation—and eight third countries. 

If concluded, the agreements would establish partnerships with Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates. This would enable Eurojust and its potential partners to share operational information, support joint investigations with EU Member States, and strengthen day-to-day cooperation between their respective judicial authorities. 

Eurojust currently has agreements with 16 states, including Armenia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Berlaymont Building has also been given a mandate by the Council to negotiate cooperation agreements with a further 10 third countries: Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, and Turkey.