European Judicial Network. Initiative Slovenia, France, Czech Republic, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Italia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovakia, Estonia, Austria, Portugal

2008/0802(CNS)

The Council agreed on a general approach on a draft Decision on the European Judicial Network in criminal matters. The Network was established by Joint Action 98/428/JHA.  Over the years, its usefulness in facilitating judicial cooperation in criminal matters has been demonstrated.

Following the EU's enlargements in 2004 and 2007, the European Judicial Network requires strengthening. Over the past five years, the Network has enjoyed preferential relations with Eurojust (following the creation of the latter by Decision 2002/187/JHA) based on consultation and complementarity.

Experience has demonstrated to both the Network and Eurojust the need to maintain the two structures and the need to clarify their relationship.