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​Yesterday, at a ceremony at the European Commission, Ms Michèle Coninsx, President of Eurojust, and the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Mr Yuriy Lutsenko, signed an Agreement on Cooperation in the presence of Ms Věra Jourová, EU Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality.

Conclusion of a cooperation agreement with a third State usually leads to a greater number of cases between the third State and Eurojust. With the inclusion of Ukraine, Eurojust has signed nine such cooperation agreements to date. Cooperation with third States is a crucial element in combating serious crime, particularly organised crime and terrorism. In practice, cooperation agreements enable the exchange of operational data, including personal data, in line with European standards on data protection. They also provide for the possible secondment of a Liaison Prosecutor from Ukraine to Eurojust. In 2004, Ukraine appointed two Eurojust contact points. The agreement also provides that Ukraine will designate a contact point as Ukrainian National Correspondent for Terrorism Matters.

President Coninsx commented:

Cooperation with third States is essential to deliver cross-border justice. Since 2005, Ukraine has been involved in 70 Eurojust cases, 26 coordination meetings, one coordination centre and one JIT. In this respect, the conclusion of this Agreement on Cooperation is a vital step in further strengthening cooperation with Ukraine. We are very pleased to have Ukraine joining our network of third States with which Eurojust has signed a cooperation agreement.

Prosecutor General Lutsenko said:

Developing a relationship with this EU organisation will give us many opportunities for international cooperation.

Background

Ukraine is a priority EU partner within the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership. The European Union and Ukraine signed an Association Agreement in 2014.

The signing of the Agreement on Cooperation was in the framework of a visit of President Poroshenko and a large Ukrainian delegation, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who signed an agreement on scientific and technical cooperation with Commissioner Carlos Moedas.

© European Commission

Related links

Ukraine Security Service’s visit to Eurojust

Agreement on cooperation between Eurojust and Ukraine