Brussels, 16/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - The idea of creating a European public prosecutor's office has not yet caused great enthusiasm among European justice ministers. At their informal gathering on Friday 16 July in Brussels, justice ministers decided the development of such a structure first of all requires strengthening of Eurojust, the European agency responsible for strengthening legal cooperation. Vivane Reding, European Justice Commissioner, said it was necessary to take one thing at a time and settle the practical issues. Ministers, she said, must give instructions in their own countries so that Eurojust may take part in cross-border investigations. Once the added value of Euorojust is fully recognised, she added, it will then be possible to move forward with the idea of a European prosecutor's office. France also called for constructive work to be carried out, saying the project was not yet ready. “The rising work of Eurojust must be assessed, as well as the results of joint investigation teams, before going on to the next stage”, stressed Jean-Marie Bockel, French Secretary of State for Justice. He above all highlighted the fact that the agreement reached in 2008 on strengthening the powers of Eurojust will not apply in member states until June 2011 (EUROPE 9712). The “European prosecutor”, he confided to EUROPE, “is the cherry on the cake, but this fine idea is not yet ripe”. It is true there is not yet unanimity about a European prosecutor's office in all member states. “The round-table discussion on this subject has shown there is reticence to a greater or lesser extent and the British were very hostile” to the project, Bockel said. Neither was there enthusiasm from Austria, Estonia or Denmark. Given such reticence, Reding said: “The European prosecutor's office - that is what we have in mind, ideally. It must not become an ideology, however, but it must be shown that practice is essential on the ground”. (B.C./transl.jl)