Eurojust becomes an Agency

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Eurojust becomes an Agency

The European Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation

Eurojust today heralds a new phase in its development, as it officially becomes the European Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, with the application of the Eurojust Regulation as the new legal basis.

The new Regulation will make Eurojust fit for the purpose of fighting increasing levels of cross-border crime, with an Executive Board dealing with administrative matters and giving the College of prosecutors from all Member States more leeway to focus on the continuously rising number of criminal cases. Eurojust will start applying many of the standard rules of the decentralised Agencies.

Mr. Ladislav Hamran, President of Eurojust.

Eurojust President Mr Ladislav Hamran said: ‘This is an important step for Eurojust, marking the beginning of a new phase in our existence. The new Regulation improves our decision-making process and gives us a more elaborate legal basis to work on. This means that we can continue to support National Members and their teams in the fight against cross-border crime, while being better prepared for the future challenges that await us.’

European Commissioner for Justice Mr Didier Reynders stated: ‘The Regulation marks a new phase for Eurojust, just at the same time as a new phase for me has started as European Commissioner for Justice. This new legal basis and expansion of the scope are great ways forward to help Eurojust improve its actions against international criminal networks and to enhance security in the European Union. When it comes to security, the judicial component of all actions is of paramount importance, in order to ensure all over the European Union justice will be done. I look very much forward to good cooperation with Eurojust.’

Finnish Minister of Justice Ms Anna-Maja Henriksson said: ‘Eurojust has become and is an important partner for the national public prosecution offices and investigating authorities of the Member States of the EU in their fight against cross-border crime. As crime becomes more cross-border, so must the crime fighters. The new Eurojust Regulation will enhance security and justice for all European citizens. Eurojust needs to be equipped to face new challenges posed by technological developments and the threats resulting from the evolving security landscape.’

Member of the European Parliament Mr Axel Voss, rapporteur for the European Parliament on the Eurojust Regulation, pointed out: ‘Improving the fight against cross-border crime by enhancing Eurojust’s operational capabilities was the guiding principle for the European Parliament’s position on the new Eurojust Regulation. A new governance structure helps Eurojust to concentrate on its established and effective operational tools and to become more proactive. The cooperation with Europol, Frontex, OLAF and the soon to be established EPPO will be enhanced. At the same time, the European Parliament has made sure that Eurojust has a robust data protection regime taking into account the nature of Eurojust’s mandate. This new legal framework will help Eurojust to be fit for purpose in the 21st century. The European Parliament is, however, aware that the appropriate funding for its activities is required and supports Eurojust in this.’ 

Eurojust

Main changes

  • A new governance structure, with an Executive Board of six members. 
  • A new data protection regime, adapting it to the revised EU legal framework on data protection;
  • The alignment of Eurojust’s external relations with the principles introduced in this field by the Treaty of Lisbon;
  • The strengthened role of the European and national Parliaments in the democratic oversight of Eurojust’s activities;
  • The new relationship between Eurojust and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office based on mutual cooperation within their respective mandates and competences, and the development of operational, management and possibly administrative links;
  • Because Denmark is not bound by the Eurojust Regulation, on 11 December, a cooperation agreement between Denmark and Eurojust has taken effect. The Danish Desk will be replaced by a Representative, a Deputy and an Assistant, who may attend College meetings as an observer without voting rights, and may exchange information with the National Desks; and
  • Genocide and war crimes have been added to forms of serious crime for which Eurojust shall be competent and that are listed in Annex 1 to the Regulation.

Internal decision-making

The College of Eurojust, comprising all the National Members, will remain in place, as will the Administrative Director. An Executive Board will be established to assist the College. 

The Executive Board will be composed of:

  • the President and two Vice-Presidents;
  • a representative of the European Commission when the College exercises its management functions; and
  • two other College National Members designated on a two-year rotation system.

The Administrative Director attends the meetings of the Executive Board without the right to vote. 

The College will be responsible for operational work and key management functions, for example:

  • adopting the budget, annual and multi-annual programming and the annual report; and 
  • electing the President and Vice-Presidents and appointing the Administrative Director.

The Executive Board will be responsible for:

  • Taking some administrative decisions (e.g. adopting implementing rules of the Staff Regulations, financial rules, anti-fraud strategy);
  • Reviewing certain administrative documents before they are submitted to the College; and
  • Establishing or modifying internal administrative structures.
Eurojust

Data protection oversight

The data protection regime applicable to Eurojust will also change. For instance, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) will be responsible for the external supervision of our compliance, replacing the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB). 

Opt-in

The UK and Ireland have decided to opt-in to the Eurojust Regulation in March and August of this year, respectively. 

Main picture by Eurojust.

Victims of human trafficking in three countries brought to safety

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Victims of human trafficking in three countries brought to safety
A criminal network allegedly trafficking women for the purpose of sexual exploitation, as well as pimping and drug trafficking, was dismantled with the assistance of Eurojust and Europol.

The alleged offenders were active in Romania, Spain, the Czech Republic and other countries. Fourteen suspects were arrested, 11 house searches were conducted and assets were seized. Nine young women who practiced prostitution for the benefit of the criminal network were located during the action day and brought to a place of safety. More than 50 young women are believed to have been exploited in the past years.

Eurojust offered a platform for the competent national authorities to take prompt, decisive action against the alleged offenders, as well as to respond swiftly to developments on the ground. To this end, acoordination centre was set up at Eurojust on 11 December to help coordinate the arrests, searches, seizures and hearings carried out in Romania, Spain and the Czech Republic.

Women were recruited by the criminal network in Romania, often drugged, threatened or physically abused, and many times trafficked into other countries to work as prostitutes. The women were regularly moved, making detection difficult.

Criminal proceedings were opened in Romania by the Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) in Constanta and by the Investigating Court number 5 in Valencia in coordination with the Valencia Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Spain, as well as national police authorities .[1]

Since 2018, Eurojust has assisted in the coordination of investigations, and helped to prepare and execute the joint action day. Eurojust held three coordination meetings with national judicial authorities, with the participation of investigators from police bodies from the involved countries. Further coordination will be necessary to tackle jurisditional issues.

Europol’s teams on trafficking in human beings and money laundering provided continuous support to the investigations, enabling police cooperation, providing analytical support, and joining during the action day.

Book launch, Balinese Art Treasures of The 1940s

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Book launch, Balinese Art Treasures of The 1940s

H.E. I Gusti Wesaka Puja, Ambassador of Indonesia, and Dr Henrietta Lidchi of Museum Volkenkunde Leiden.

By Roy Lie Atjam.

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in The Hague, in collaboration with the Museum Volkenkunde Leiden organized a book launch featuring, “Balinese Art Treasures of the 1940s; the rediscovery of a collection”.

The event took place at Aula Nusantara of the Embassy of Indonesia on Thursday, 5 December 2019.

The launching was attended by a good number of guests from various circles in the Netherlands including academics, scientists, cultural observers, historians, the diaspora and friends of Indonesia. Serving as a backdrop was the gamelan ensemble Barong and Drupadi Balinese dance from the Gamelan Mudra Svara group. The brilliantly  illustrated book presents a unique collection of modern Balinese art from the 1940s. Besides the artworks themselves, the book provides the unusual history of the collection.

Balinese Art Treasures of The 1940s.

With the presentation of the book, Balinese artworks stored for decades at the Tropen Museum Amsterdam can finally be enjoyed by a wider public.

The book Balinese Art Treasures of the 1940s is about various high-value works of art consisting of various Balinese cultural objects totaling 130 pieces, such as wood carvings, paintings, objects made of silver, metal, and textiles.

These works of art are the property of the Indonesian Government and are still entrusted to the Tropen museum in the Amsterdam since 1955 by Dr The Great Idea Gde Agung, Former Prime Minister and Indonesian Ambassador to France after a successful exhibition was held in 1948.

The Indonesian Ambassador in the Netherlands, H.E. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja stated that the newly published book is expected to be a work that would contribute to the preservation and promotion of Bali’s cultural treasures in the world.

The Ambassador went on to say, “the publication of this book is an important step to disseminate information about high historical objects to the international community. It is a gift to the world and will be one of the important references in future, especially for observers and lovers of Balinese culture. The number of guests present here this evening testifies that a book like this has been long-awaited”, concluded Ambassador Puja.

Ambassador Puja.

Furthermore, the book presents great works of Balinese painters, among others: Ida Bagoes Made Nadera, I Goesti Ketoet Kobot, Agoeng Gede Meregeg’s Children, Ida Bagus Made Poleng, Ida Bagoes Made Togog, I Wajan Tohjiwa, I Made Djata and I Goesti Made Debelog and Balinese sculptors include: Ida Bagoes Njana, Anak Agoeng Gede Raka, and I Tama.

Dr Henrietta Lidchi of Museum Volkenkunde Leiden was the next speaker. She was followed by Dr Soemantri Widagdo, chairman of the Yayasan Titiafi Bali Foundation, who delivered the keynote presentation.

Dr Soemantri Widagdo is a chemical engineer by training, an innovative and creative culture builder by experience. Has been studying Balinese Visual Arts since 1994•1995-2015: Formerly the chief foreign curator and international liaison at the Museum Puri Lukisan, Ubud -Bali. In 2016: Created an artist incubator in Bali under the umbrella of Yayasan Titian Bali (Foundation)

Dr Soemantri Widagdo build his presentation on the following topics:

  • to start he gave a brief history of Balinese art, 1900 – 1940
  • The golden age of Balinese art 1920 – 1940
  • What happened in the 1940s
  • Bali was heavily impacted by the outbreak of the second world war: The invasion of Japan into South-East Asia, including Indonesia.
  • The declaration of independence
  • The early war of independence(1945-1949)
  • What is happening now?
  • Contemporary Balinese artists, are very dynamic:

Mokoh 1992Ni Gusti Kadek Murni Asih 2004, Nyoman Arisana 2017, I Wayam Aris sarmanta 2018, Art is very much alive in Bali.

Ambassador Puja during his speech.

What a fantastic exposure of Indonesian art, particularly Balinese art, by all means a successful event.

Courtesy: The Embassy of Indonesia, The Hague &Yayasan TiTian Bali (Foundation)

Prof. Dr. Andrzej Przyłębski honoured in Halle

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Prof. Dr. Andrzej Przyłębski honoured in Halle

Ambassador Prof. Dr. Andrzej Przyłębski – Picture by Polish Embassy to Germany.

Thursday, 5 December 2019, Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany: Prof. Dr. Andrzej Przyłębski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Germany, awarded scientific accolades to scholars on Polish studies at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg.

The prize have been awarded since 2008 for outstanding dissertations and master’s theses in the humanities and social sciences on Polish history and culture as well as German-Polish relations.

Prof. Dr. Miloš Řezník, Director of the German Historical Institute in Warsaw, provided the keynote lecture.

The award ceremony was also attended by the Rector of Halle University, Prof. Christian Tietje, Head of the Aleksander-Brückner Centre for Polish Studies at Halle University, Prof.Yvonne Kleinmann, Director of the Centre for Historical Research Berlin of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Prof. Igor Kąkolewski and the classical guitarist Andrzej Mokry, who accompanied the event musically.

For further information: 
Polish Embassy to Germany (HE Prof. Dr. Andrzej Przyłębski): https://berlin.msz.gov.pl/pl/

Ireland continues to be integral partner in Eurojust

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Ireland continues to be integral partner in Eurojust

New EU Regulation applies on 12 December

Eurojust’s Vice-President Klaus Meyer-Cabri addressing a seminar in Ireland on 21 November 2019, with the National Member for Ireland Frank Cassidy (right). 

The Hague, 9 December 2019 – Ireland will continue to be an integral and full operational partner in Eurojust as of 12 December, when the new Regulation establishing Eurojust as an Agency will officially apply. Both houses of Parliament (the Oireachtas) already decided to opt-in as a full-fledged member of Eurojust in June of this year.

Ireland and the UK were required to opt-in to the Eurojust Regulation in view of the special protocol of both countries in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. The decision to opt-in builds on the existing cooperation and exchange of information in judicial matters and the strong rise in the number of Irish cases registered at Eurojust. Ireland also participated for the first time in a Eurojust-funded joint investigation team (JIT) last month.

Eurojust’s President, Mr Ladislav Hamran, said: ‘We are very pleased that the excellent cooperation with Ireland will continue after 12 December, when we will officially become an EU Agency. Eurojust helps the judiciary to cooperate in a practical way and Ireland’s participation as an integral partner is of enormous importance in our joint efforts to combat cross-border crime.’

Ireland’s Minister for Justice and Equality, Mr Charles Flanagan, stated: ‘Ireland has been a committed member and supporter of Eurojust since its foundation. Opting into the new Eurojust Regulation was a matter of priority for Ireland. Ireland believes the new Regulation offers a modern framework for Eurojust to perform its role effectively and efficiently and looks forward to the Regulation coming into application on 12 December next.’

The National Member for Ireland at Eurojust, Mr Frank Cassidy, pointed out: ‘While a more open European Union brings many advantages, it creates significant challenges in addressing cross-border crime. The ability to continue to cooperate within Eurojust, and avail itself of the range of facilities available, is of invaluable importance for Ireland and will enable us to tackle crime in the most efficient way.’

Based on Protocol 21 on the position of the UK and Ireland within the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, annexed to the Treaty on the European Union, both countries were required to opt-in to the new Eurojust Regulation, which is established as an official EU Agency as of 12 December of this year. The UK and Ireland decided to opt-in, respectively, in March and June. The participation of Ireland was confirmed by the European Commission on 29 November 2019.

The opt-in and international judicial cooperation with the future Agency were discussed at a seminar in Dublin on 21 November, organised by Eurojust, with the support of Claire Loftus, the Irish Director of Public Prosecutions, Marion Walsh of the Irish Department of Justice and Equality, and Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Sullivan of the national police force, An Garda Síochána. The seminar focused on the practical aspects of International cooperation in criminal law and included a delegation from the FBI. Vice-President Mr Klaus Meyer-Cabri, National Member for Ireland Mr Frank Cassidy and National Member for Portugal Mr António Cluny participated on behalf of Eurojust.

Over the last five years, the number of Irish cases registered at Eurojust has increased by 41 per cent, with 78 new cases last year. They involve a range of crime types, with the number of cases opened by Ireland being roughly the same number as the number of cases for which other Member States ask for Irish support.

Recently, Ireland for the first time participated in a Eurojust-funded JIT, together with the UK. The agreement on this JIT was signed on 8 November, with a coordination meeting taking place in Dublin. Ireland is the last EU Member State to sign up to a JIT.

Photo © Irish Ministry of Justice and Equality

United Arab Emirates Contribute €100,000 to Future OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology

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United Arab Emirates Contribute €100,000 to Future OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology

The Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Abdullah Al Otaiba and OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands —10 December 2019 — The Government of the United Arab Emirates has contributed €100,000 to a special Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Trust Fund to support the project to upgrade the current OPCW Laboratory and Equipment Store.

This project will result in the construction of a new facility, the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology (“ChemTech Centre”).

OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Abdullah Al Otaiba.

The contribution was formalised during a ceremony at the OPCW Headquarters between OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Abdullah Al Otaiba.

Ambassador Al Otaiba remarked: “The Government of UAE is very pleased to be able to contribute to the ChemTech Centre project, which is crucial for ensuring that the OPCW has the capability to keep abreast of the latest developments in science and technology and new chemical weapons threats.”

OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Abdullah Al Otaiba.

Director-General Arias said: “I am most grateful to the UAE for its valuable contribution to the new OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology. The new centre will build on our existing technical and analytical capacity, and take us closer to our goal of achieving a world free of chemical weapons.”

Director-General Arias appealed to all OPCW States Parties in a position to make voluntary contributions to do so. He highlighted that “all contributions, regardless of size, are greatly appreciated and will go a long way to ensuring the success of the ChemTech Centre project”.

So far, twenty-six States Parties and the European Union have contributed or pledged to contribute financially to the project, and a considerable amount has been raised to date.

Instilling Dominican Public Diplomacy in Uruguay

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Instilling Dominican Public Diplomacy in Uruguay

In the picture the Minister Counsellor Dr. Eugenio Matos, Dr. Maria Azpiroz and Ambassador Luis Arias Nuñez.

Under the sponsorship of Diplomat Magazine Netherlands, the Ministry of Education and Culture of Uruguay and the International Public Diplomacy Council, in collaboration with the Dominican Embassy in Montevideo, was hosted on November 28th a lecture entitled “Public Diplomacy for Developing States”, which took place in the National Library of Uruguay.

The guest speaker was Dr. Eugenio Matos G, lawyer, violinist and Dominican diplomat with a successful career in the field. He was awarded in 2018 by the School of Law of the University of Ottawa for his contributions to the investigation and practice on public diplomacy. One has to recall that Dr. Matos was Minister-Counsellor for the Dominican Republic Embassy in The Hague (2009-2014), currently in Ottawa, Canada. 

The introductory words were given by Dr. María Azpiroz, Director of International Relations of the prestigious Uruguayan University ORT. “The Dominican expert will discuss for the first time in Montevideo a cutting-edge issue on the study and practice of public diplomacy, with particular impact on the foreign ministries of the Dominican Republic and Uruguay,” said Dr. Azpiroz.

The Dominican Ambassador in Uruguay, Dr. Luis Arias Nuñez, academics, jurists, members of the Dominican diaspora in Montevideo and special guests atended the event which was followed by a reception.

Christmas Tree Lighting Tradition at Hotel Des Indes

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Christmas Tree Lighting Tradition at Hotel Des Indes

Dr. Stanislav Vassilevsky, Charge d’affaires de Belarus, Mr. Coen Masselink, General Manager of Des Indes, H.E. Mr. I Gusti Wesake Puja, Ambassador of Indonesia, the Ambassador of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Amgad Abdel Ghaffar, Santa Claus, Narumi Bucheli and Ms. Irina Vassilevska.

By Tereza Neuwirthová.

On the Friday afternoon of 6th December, the magnificent Hotel Des Indes in The Hague hosted a reception on the occasion of its annual Christmas decorations lighting tradition. 

The opulent lounge of the emblematic Des Indes was decorated in elegant Christmas decorations, which perfectly suited the impressive design of this historical hotel.

Upon their arrival into the lounge, the guests were welcomed with a glass of champagne coupled with savoury refreshments, and they could enjoy the wonderful Christmas atmosphere created by the charming decorations and music played by the DJ. 

The General Manager of Hotel Des Indes, Mr. Coen Masselink opened the lighting ceremony with his speech:

“Today, we celebrate our first anniversary with The Leading Hotels of the World. Our transition to this very prestigious collection has been very successful, and I would like to use this moment to thank my colleagues for their enormous effort that has gone into this transition in the last 12 months.”

Mr. Coen Masselink, Des Indes General Manager during his speech, behind members of YMCA gospel choir from Scheveningen.

“Just before we light up the tree, on behalf of my team, I would like to wish you all present a very merry Christmas, and a happy, healthy 2020.”

Thereafter, a countdown followed until the Christmas tree was lightened up, a grandiose and magical moment that was accompanied by a spectacular performance of the YMCA gospel choir from Scheveningen, under the lead of conductor Rob Buis.

Ms. Irina Vassilevska, Dr. Stanislav Vassilevsky, Charge d’affaires de Belarus, Mr. Coen Masselink from Des Indes, Mr. Fernando Bucheli Vargas, Consul General of Ecuador and Narumi Bucheli with Santa Claus.

As the Christmas atmosphere settled in through the music, the guests chatted and indulged in small delicacies prepared by the Des Indes culinary team.

The annual lighting tradition saw the attendance of a number of diplomats, among them the Ambassador of Indonesia, H.E. I Gusti Wesaka Puja, the Ambassador of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Amgad Abdel Ghafar, the Charge d’affaires of Belaurs, Dr. Stanislav Vassilevsky and Ms. Irina Vassilevska, the Consul General of Ecuador, Mr. Fernando Bucheli and Narumi Bucheli, as well as other distinguished guests, who contributed to creating a pleasurable atmosphere at this very special Christmas event organised by Hotel Des Indes. 

Argentina’s partnership with NRW reinforced

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Argentina’s partnership with NRW reinforced

Wednesday, 4 December 2019, Düsseldorf, NRW, Germany: Premier Armin Laschet received Ambassador Pedro Raúl Villagra Delgado, Head of Mission of the Argentine Republic to Germany, for his inaugural visit to the State Chancellery. 

In addition to the deepening of relations, the forthcoming inauguration of the new Argentine cabinet and the general political situation in South America were also discussed.

Premier Armin Laschet: “Argentina is an important partner for transatlantic relations with Latin America in view of the currently complicated political situation in parts of South America. Europe and Argentina will grow closer as a result of the free trade agreement negotiated this year between the European Union and the Mercosur states. North Rhine-Westphalia also has a positive view of a deepening of economic cooperation”.

Ambassador Villagra was accompanied by the new Argentine consul in Bonn, Dr. Eduardo Nazareno Muñoz, who likewise was received by Premier Laschet for a courtesy call. 

Argentine-NRW relations 
The location of the Argentine consulate in Bonn underlines the good relationship between North Rhine-Westphalia and Argentina.

Argentina and North Rhine-Westphalia are currently linked by ten school partnerships and more than 45 university partnerships. Most recently, Dr. Mark Speich, State Secretary for Federal and European Affairs and International Affairs, visited Argentina in April 2019 and met with political representatives of the Buenos Aires region.

For further information Government of NRW: https://www.land.nrw/de/pressemitteilung/ministerpraesident-armin-laschet-empfaengt-den-botschafter-von-argentinien

Picture by Land NRW.

Bahrain National Day 2019

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Bahrain National Day 2019

H.E. Mr Fawaz bin Mohamed Al Khalifa Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

By Roy Lie Atjam.

The Hague, 4 December 2019. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa accession to the throne, H.E. Mr Fawaz bin Mohamed Al Khalifa Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the Netherlands organized a sitting lunch. The event also celebrated the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Day,

The Ambassador of Morocco, His Excellency Abdelouahab Bellouki and the Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Excellency Mr Nawaf Wasfi Tell.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Fawaz bin Mohamed Al Khalifa warmly welcome his guests. He went on to mention the current situation in the Gulf region which he deemed worrisome.

The Ambassador further expresses his gratitude for the collective international assistance received in safeguarding a free mercantile shipping in the gulf.

Ambassador of Yemen, H.E. Ms. Sahar Ghanem and Mr. Hugo Siblesz, Secretary-General , Permanent Court of Arbitration.

An exquisite lunch followed in a cordial and pleasurable atmosphere. Guests were presented with a token of appreciated upon departure.

Ambassador Al Khalifa and the Director General of OPCW, .H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias.
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