PRESS RELEASE : Brussels, 21/01/03

The Hellenic Minister of Justice Philippos Petsalnikos, current co-President of the Justice/Home Affairs Council, presented this morning at 9:00am to the European Parliament's Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs the Greek Presidency's programme in the field of Justice.

The Hellenic Minister emphasized that the European endeavour in establishing a common area of freedom, security and justice shall be governed by two fundamental principles: first, the utmost respect to fundamental rights, democratic institutions and the rule of law and, second, policy consistency, rationality and balance.

These two principles will guide the priorities and initiatives of the Hellenic Presidency. Measures directed at providing more security, in particular, shall by no means be considered as curtailing fundamental freedoms. The two main subjects in the agenda of the informal Council's meeting will focus precisely on the need for establishing common minimal rules for the protection of suspects and accused persons and the on-going discussions in the European Convention on the field of Justice.

Minister Petsalnikos presented before the Committee the Presidency's initiatives in the field of criminal cooperation and explained how they enhance our commitment to fundamental rights and the rule of law within a balanced and all-embracing approach. The Minister referred to the draft framework decision for the mutual recognition of the ne bis in idem in penal decisions, so that the same person not be tried for the same offense twice, in two different member states, the draft framework decision for combating trafficking of human tissues and organs and the draft agreement on judicial cooperation in penal matters with third countries. He also reiterated the commitment to go on with already submitted proposals with a view to having them adopted by the Council.

On civil law matters, the Minister welcomed the commencement of the co-decision procedures and stressed the role of the Committee, and the Parliament at large, in forming a cohesive policy towards approximation of civil law and civil law procedures.

Mr. Petsalnikos stressed the importance the Hellenic Presidency attaches on combating drug trafficking and the necessity for a multi-dimensional approach. Taking note of the fact that many prisoners make use of drugs in prisons, Greece will propose a draft resolution on the therapy of convicted drug addicts and the exchange of best practices. In Greece, there is a special center for the detoxication and rehabilitation of drug-addicted prisoners in non-closed settings where particular attention is given to vocational training and social integration.

Finally, the Minister discussed the priorities of the Greek Presidency in the field of external relations. Greece will promote cooperation with Balkan and Mediterranean countries. For this reason, it will organize a meeting of the Balkan Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Thessaloniki on 22-23 of April as well as a seminar for Balkan judges in the Hellenic School of Judges. The Greek Presidency will also promote cooperation with Russia and Ukraine on combating organized crime and trafficking in human beings and drugs in particular. Finally, Mr. Petsalnikos noted that the Presidency will continue with great care the negotiations with the U.S.A. over the agreement on judicial cooperation on the basis of the negotiating mandates adopted by the Council.

The Hellenic Minister of Justice, in closing his presentation, stressed the need for enhanced cooperation with the Parliament, extended an invitation to the chairman of the Committee to participate in the informal meeting of the JHA Council, and to Committee members to take part in the seminars and conferences to be organized by the Greek Presidency.