Brussels, 09/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 8 October, ministers from the EU member states and Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgian, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) and representatives from the European Commission stated their resolve, in a joint resolution, to strengthen their bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the area of justice and home affairs (JHA).
The ministers therefore underlined the importance of continuing their cooperation on migration and mobility - particularly through the effective and continued implementation of visa facilitation and the agreements on readmission, the implementation of action plans on visa liberalisation and cooperation under mobility partnerships.
They also stated that it is necessary to work to ensure that judicial systems are in line with European standards so as to arrive at an independent, impartial, efficient and responsible judicial system. They called for the strengthening of judicial cooperation on civil and criminal matters.
The statement highlights the need to progress work within the Eastern Partnership to develop and implement tools and measures to prevent against, and fight, corruption. The continued strengthening of activities aiming to fight against organised and cross-border crime is important, the ministers add, especially through the identification of, and fight against, common threats.
The partners also want enhanced cooperation on the prevention of, and fight against, cybercrime, and accelerated efforts at bringing data protection systems into line with European standards. Progress in the fight against illegal drugs and psychotropic substances is also necessary, the ministers state.
The ministers committed to meeting regularly to monitor progress and give policy guidance to their cooperation. (CG/transl.fl)