[PIO] Participation of the Minister of Justice and Public Order at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council

Minister of Justice and Public Order Anna Koukkidi-Prokopiou will attend the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council in Brussels on 4 and 5 December 2023.

On the first day of the Council, the Ministers will discuss cooperation in criminal and civil law and human rights.

Ministers are expected to agree on a General Approach on the Transfer of Criminal Proceedings Regulation to prevent parallel proceedings in member states.

This is deemed necessary with the increase in cross-border crime. The Ministers will then hold a political debate on the revision of the directive on strengthening the rights of victims of crime.

They will then exchange views on improving relations between national authorities and the EPPO (European Public Prosecutor's Office), the independent body responsible for investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating crimes against the EU's financial interests, which has been operational since 1 June 2021.

The "27" will also be asked to adopt the Council's position on the implementation of the GDPR, i.e. the General Data Protection Regulation and the European e-Justice Strategy 2024-2028. They will also take note of the state of progress of the procedures for EU access to the Council of Europe's European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Ministers will have the opportunity, during a working lunch on the first day of the Council, to discuss judicial cooperation with third countries in the areas of organised crime and drug trafficking.