The Minister of Justice and Public Order, Mrs.Stefi Drakou, participated in the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union, which took place in Brussels on 3 and 4 March, in the shadow of the latest developments in Ukraine, which dominated the various discussions that took place.
During the Council's proceedings, the 27 Ministers had a teleconference with the Ukrainian Minister of Justice, during which Mr Denys Maliuska informed his counterparts of the situation so far. The European Ministers, each in turn, expressed their support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people and stressed that the Union remains united on Ukraine's side by providing all possible forms of assistance. The discussion showed a broad consensus among justice ministers on the imposition of these measures in order to put pressure on the Russian government, while the possibility of extending the measures to the field of civil and commercial law was also examined.
During her intervention, the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Ms Stefi Dakou, expressed Cyprus' support for this proposal, as well as for the Presidency's approach of applying this practice on a case-by-case basis, so that Member States exercise the necessary control to ensure that this measure does not work to the advantage of criminals who try to use it to escape the consequences of the law.
Alongside the issues related to the crisis in Ukraine, the issue of the political governance of the Schengen area was put on the Council's table, with Ministers continuing the discussions initiated at the informal Council held in early February in France.
In her intervention, the Minister of Justice supported the proposal to create a Schengen Council at the highest political level. In this context, she supported the establishment of a European Schengen Coordinator, who would be able to make policy recommendations and propose priority areas for action to the Council. In addition, it will be able to monitor the implementation of the EU strategy and improve communication and cooperation with third countries. The Minister made particular reference to the need for practical solidarity which, in addition to financial assistance, should also cover substantial relief for front-line Member States through redistribution. In this context, she expressed Cyprus' support for the proposal to create a solidarity platform, which in times of crisis can address issues such as the instrumentalisation of migrants, a phenomenon that also affects Cyprus.
The Ministers also exchanged views on the establishment of a European status for lawyers, which will strengthen the independent exercise of the profession and contribute to the preservation and promotion of the rule of law. In the same context, they discussed the challenges faced by lawyers and whether there are examples of behaviour in the Member States which give rise to concern or which prevent lawyers from playing their role in defending the rule of law.
The Minister of Justice stressed the essential role of lawyers in maintaining and protecting the rule of law, fundamental rights and the independence of the judiciary, both at European and national level. Referring to the institutional framework in Cyprus, she explained that lawyers are by law an independent body which is not subject to the control of the state, but instead has its own procedures for the registration of lawyers and the exercise of their profession.
In the margins of the Council, the Minister of Justice had a bilateral meeting with her Irish counterpart, Ms Helen McEntree, with whom she discussed issues of mutual interest. During their meeting they discussed issues relating to incidents of gender-based violence and in particular measures to prevent and suppress the phenomenon of femicide following the adoption of relevant legislation by both countries. They further exchanged views on best practices and operational tools to combat child sexual abuse on the internet and cooperation with providers to limit the dissemination of child pornography.
(EC)
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