THE GREEK PRESIDENCY IN THE FIELD OF JUSTICE

I. GENERAL

Starting from 1st January 2003 - and up to 30th June 2003 - Greece takes over the Presidency of the European Union. Global coordination of the Greek Presidency falls with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For further information, you may refer to the following website address of the Greek Presidency: http://www.eu2003.gr.

Like every other Ministry, the Ministry of Justice undertakes the responsibilities of the Presidency that fall into its field of competence and, primarily, presides over a number of Working Groups, as well as over the Council of the European Union.

II. PRIORITIES IN THE FIELD OF JUSTICE

The establishment of an area of freedom, security and justice, based on the respect of human rights, democratic institutions and the rule of law, constitutes a primary objective of the European Union. The Greek Presidency will, therefore, pursue the initiatives already under way and will contribute, with new proposals, towards the joint creation of the said area.

A. JUDICIAL COOPERATION IN CRIMINAL CASES

The mutual recognition of judgments constitutes the cornerstone of judicial cooperation, as it increases the ability of the European Union to prosecute international crime through a simplified and rapid process of judicial cooperation, as well as through a more direct access of citizens to justice.

Within this context, the Greek Presidency will promote the following new initiatives:

• Draft Framework Decision on the mutual recognition of the principle ne bis in idem with regard to foreign judgments
The above proposal aims at recognising the substantive precedent of a final criminal judgment. This primarily contributes to the protection of the rights of the individual, since, in this way, multiple prosecution of the same person for the same action, for which he/she has already been tried in a Member State, is avoided.

• Draft Framework Decision on combatting trafficking in human organs and tissues as a form of organized crime
This proposal aims at fighting a serious phenomenon which forms a special part of the general phenomenon of trafficking in human beings. Due to its explosion, trafficking in human organs and tissues constitutes a main concern of the international community and, consequently, the rapid promotion of the relevant initiative is considered opportune and feasible.

• Promotion of discussions of a Draft Model-Agreement on judicial cooperation in criminal cases between the European Union and third countries, with the aim of adopting it
This initiative aims at the drafting of a legal act of primary law with basic and substantive provisions that facilitate judicial cooperation and make it more up-to-date. The Draft will help to expedite the conclusion, by the European Union, of agreements, mainly with neighbouring third countries.

• Evaluation and identification of fields of action in the Declaration of Brussels on preventing and combatting trafficking in human beings
This Declaration includes particular strategic sections which have to be implemented, in order to improve prevention and combatting of trafficking in human beings. Further gradual evaluation and identification of strategic fields of action is considered an important initiative for the practical and more efficient fight against trafficking in human beings within the European Union.

Moreover, the Greek Presidency will continue the work on enhancing mutual recognition of judgments in criminal cases, in accordance with the relevant programme of measures of the Council of November 2000. To that end, the Greek Presidency will make efforts to complete, within its term, the relevant Framework Decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition of financial penalties, the Framework Decision on the execution of confiscation orders and the Framework Decision on the confiscation of crime-proceeds, instrumentalities and property. Furthermore, the Greek Presidency will continue the discussions on the proposals relating to the Framework Decision on combatting racism and xenophobia and the Framework Decision on the attacks against information systems.

B. JUDICIAL COOPERATION IN CIVIL CASES

The Greek Presidency will further pursue the works on the promotion and possible completion of the Draft Regulation on mutual recognition of judgments on matters of parental responsibility, the Draft Regulation on the European enforcement order for uncontested claims and the Draft Directive of the Commission on compensation to crime victims.

C. COOPERATION IN DRUG MATTERS

The Greek Presidency, taking into account the seriousness of this threat, intends to promote a Draft Resolution on the treatment of convicted users during the service of their penalty, as well as on the exchange of the best practices for developing the European Network for the prevention of crime.

D. EXTERNAL RELATIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION IN THE FIELD OF JHA

The Greek Presidency will also work for the promotion of cooperation between the European Union and third countries, such as Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldavia, the U.S.A., etc., in the field of JHA, and especially, on issues relating to all forms of organized crime, including terrorism, drug trafficking and trafficking in human beings, as well as to corruption.

III. MEETINGS' SCHEDULE

A. JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS COUNCILS

B. OTHER MEETINGS

1) European Conference: "Eurojoint: The Role of Eurojust and Its Direct Cooperation with the European Judicial Network, as well as with the Competent National Authorities, for a Joint Fight against Criminality"
6-7/03/2003
(Public Prosecutor's Office of Athens)

Location : Athens

2) Official Visit of the European Court of Justice
16-19/04/2003

Location : Athens

3) 2nd Conference of European Jurists
1-2/05/2003
(Law Departments of Greek Universities, Jurists Associations, etc.)

Location : Athens

4) Meeting of the European Judicial Network
6-7/05/2003

Location : Athens

5) Meeting of Representatives of E.U. Supreme Audit Institutions and the European Audit Court
22-23/05/2003
(Audit Court)

Location : Athens

6) European Conference: "The European Arrest Warrant: A Means of High Protection in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice"
16-17/06/2003
(Court of First Instance of Athens)

Location : Athens

IV. WORKING GROUPS AT THE EUROPEAN UNION

A. WORKING GROUPS IN CIVIL MATTERS

• Civil Law - General Matters
• Parental Responsibility
• European Enforcement Order
• Compensation of Crime Victims

B. WORKING GROUPS IN CRIMINAL MATTERS

• Committee of Article 36
• Substantive Criminal Law
• Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters
• Multidisciplinary Group on Organised Crime
• European Judicial Network
• Horizontal Group on Drugs

C. OTHER GROUPS

• Court
• Data Protection
• Committee for Crisis Management: Rule of Law
• Legal Data Processing
• Collective Evaluation

V. CHAIRMEN OF THE WORKING GROUPS AT THE EUROPEAN UNION

• Spyridon VRELLIS, Professor, University of Athens, Chairman of the Working Group: "Civil Law Committee - General Matters"

• Penelope AGALLOPOULOU, Professor, University Of Piraeus, Chairman of the Working Group: "Parental Responsibility"

• Athanassios DAVETAS, Judge at the Court of First Instance, Chairman of the Working Group: "Compensation of Crime Victims"

• Harissios TAGARAS, Professor, Panteion University of Athens, Chairman of the Working Group: "European Enforcement Order"

• Andreas POTAMIANOS, Judge at the Court of First Instance, Chairman of the Working Group: "Substantive Criminal Law"

• Dimitrios GOULOUSSIS, ex-Judge at the Court of Appeal, Consultant at the Supreme State Council for the Selection of Public Servants, Chairman of the Working Group: "Cooperation in Criminal Matters"

• Theodore TZANAKIS, Judge at the Court of Appeal, Chairman of the Working Group: "Committee for Crisis Management: Rule of Law"

• Panagiotis NIKOLOUDIS, Deputy Public Prosecutor at the Court of Appeal, Chairman of the Working Group: "European Judicial Network"

• Antonios VGONTZAS, Lawyer, Chairman of the Working Group: "Negotiations with the U.S.A."

• Maria GAVOUNELI, Lecturer, University of Athens, Chairman of the Working Group: "Article 36 Committee"

• Dionysios SPINELLIS, Professor Emeritus, University of Athens, Chairman of the Working Group: "Multidisciplinary Group on Organised Crime"