Luxembourg: The agreement on the new Justice programme marks a significant development towards a more effective, accessible, and digitalised European area of justice, as stated by Costas Fytiris, Minister of Justice and Public Order, during a press conference following the EU Justice and Home Affairs (Justice) Council meeting held in Luxembourg.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the primary topics on the agenda included the approval of a partial mandate for the new 'Justice' programme, discussions on the recognition of parenthood in cross-border cases, and developments concerning the European Public Prosecutor's Office. Minister Fytiris, who chaired the Council meeting, emphasized that the new Justice programme will enhance cross-border cooperation, improve access to justice, and fortify the independence of judicial systems within the European Union.
Fytiris highlighted that the agreement is a crucial achievement linked to the efforts of the Cypriot Presidency for the EU's long-term budget and its dedication to advancing work on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
Addressing the recognition of parenthood in cross-border cases, Fytiris mentioned that technical work on this proposal has been underway for over three and a half years. The ultimate goal is to safeguard all children, irrespective of their birthplace or family structure. A political discussion was conducted to guide experts and direct negotiations, with a revised text to be distributed after considering member states' feedback.
Regarding the European Public Prosecutor's Office, the Minister noted the ongoing revision of regulations concerning the access of EPPO and OLAF to VAT information at the EU level, projected to conclude by summer. This revision aims to augment the effectiveness of the European Public Prosecutor's Office. He also acknowledged Hungary's decision to join EPPO as a pivotal milestone that bolsters the office's efforts against fraud.
On the topic of Ukraine, the Minister shared that the Council's contributions have been centered on addressing impunity for crimes linked to the war. The issue has been a recurring agenda item since the onset of Russian aggression against Ukraine, with the Commission and Eurojust providing updates on developments in this area. The meeting also concluded with discussions on hate crimes and hate speech.
Fytiris expressed his honor in chairing the Council of Justice Ministers and extended gratitude to his counterparts and Commissioner McGrath for their collaboration over recent months. He particularly noted the political agreement achieved on the Regulation for the protection of adults, ensuring continued support for vulnerable adults relocating within the EU-a priority for the Cypriot Presidency, with ongoing work until the end of its term.