The members of the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union expressed their solidarity with the Ukrainian people during the second day of the meeting held on March 3rd and 4th in Brussels. Minister of Justice and Public Order, Stephie Dracou, who represented Cyprus during the discussions regarding justice, expressed Nicosia`s support for joint solidarity measures in the judicial sector.
According to a statement, the 27 ministers held a teleconference with the Ukrainian Minister for Justice, Denys Maliuska, who briefed his counterparts on the situation in his country. The Ministers of the EU expressed their support to the Ukrainian people and stressed that the Union remains united and on Ukraine`s side, providing all possible forms of assistance.
The ministers also exchanged views on a proposal, submitted by the French Presidency, to adopt common solidarity measures in the judicial field through the suspension of the application of judicial cooperation agreements between member states and Russia.
During the debate there was a broad consensus among Justice Ministers regarding these measures, which aim to exert pressure on the Russian government, while also examining the possibility of extending the measures to the field of civil and commercial law.
In her intervention, the Minister of Justice and Public Order expressed Cyprus` support for the proposal under consideration, 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 this measure is not taken advantage of by criminals.
On a different note, the Council tabled the issue of the political governance of the Schengen area, with ministers continuing the discussions initiated at the informal Council held in France at the beginning of February.
The Minister of Justice supported the proposal to establish a Schengen Council at the highest political level and in this context 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.
This coordinator would also be able to monitor the implementation of the EU strategy and improve communication and cooperation with third countries.
Dracou made particular reference to the need for practical solidarity, in addition to financial assistance, to give additional relief to front line Member States through the redistribution of migrants and refugees.
She also expressed Cyprus` support to the proposal for the creation of a solidarity platform, which in times of crisis can address issues such as the instrumentalisation of migrants, a phenomenon that affects Cyprus.
The 27 ministers also exchanged views on the establishment of a European status for lawyers, which would strengthen the independent exercise of the profession and contribute to the preservation and promotion of the rule of law, while in the same context, they discussed the challenges faced by lawyers and whether there are examples of behaviour in the member states that cause concern or that hinder lawyers from exercising their role in defending the rule of law.
The Cypriot 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 the legal profession is 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.
On the margins of the Council, the Minister of Justice had a bilateral meeting with her Irish counterpart Helen McEntree, with whom she discussed matters of mutual interest.
During their meeting they discussed issues relating to incidents of gender-based violence and in particular measures to prevent and suppress femicide following the adoption of legislation by both countries.
They also 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.
Source: Cyprus News Agency