Eurojust, Georgia to Counter Organized Crime

Eurojust – European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit, and Georgia will sign an agreement of cooperation in criminal matters, Eurojust reported on February 14, following the European Parliament’s voting in favor of the deal.

According to Eurojust, Georgia will become the first country in the South Caucasus to have concluded such a deal, which “if subsequently approved by the Council, will unlock the possibility of a more robust exchange of information in criminal investigations between the two parties.”

“The agreement will help Eurojust better target Georgian organized crime groups that are transnationally active and pose a major threat to security in Europe,” Eurojust stated, noting that for Georgia, the agreement “will be an important tool to meet its international commitment to prevent and fight organized crime.”

Eurojust’s President, Ladislav Hamran welcomed the European Parliament’s support of the draft cooperation agreement, which, he believes “will offer the possibility to establish a practical partnership in the fight against serious organized crime with a State of the South Caucasus region.”

“Today’s vote is an important step towards concluding an operational agreement with Georgia, which will facilitate the investigation and prosecution of organized crime both in Georgia and the European Union,” Hamran stated.

In their statements of February 15, Georgian Justice Ministry and Prosecutor’s Office underscored importance of the agreement as well. The Justice Ministry said negotiations between the parties had started earlier in 2015, and soon the Justice Minister, Prosecutor General and Eurojust President will officially seal the deal.