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It is with great
pleasure that I have accepted the invitation to address today’s meeting and
have the opportunity to welcome you today to the 18th CrimEx and 2nd EMJnet meeting of the Euromed Justice Program, held here in Larnaka. The
Ministry of Justice and Public Order, together with the Law Office of the
Republic of Cyprus, are deeply honoured to host this important gathering of
legal experts and professionals in the field of Criminal Justice.
I would like to extend a warm
and heartfelt welcome to each and every one of you who have travelled here,
from various countries of the Mediterranean but also from various EU
countries. Your presence at this meeting signifies your dedication to the
Euromed Justice Program and to fostering collaboration, as well as addressing
the challenges and opportunities available in the field of cooperation in
criminal matters and making the Mediterranean region, and by extension the
rest of the European Union, a safer place for all citizens.
Last but not least, I would
like to express my thanks and gratitude to the dedicated Euromed Justice
Program Team for organizing this meeting.
Before we begin today’s
conference, I would like to express my deepest condolences for the recent
tragedies that occurred both with the earthquake in Morocco and the floods in
Greece and Libya, which led to massive loss of life. Our thoughts and prayers
are with the victims, those who have suffered losses, as well as with those
who are still going through challenging times.
In the face of adversity, it is
important that we come together to support one another, offer comfort, and
seek solutions for a brighter future. As we gather for this meeting, let us
remember that we are here not only to address the challenges and opportunities
at our disposal to foster and encourage cooperation in the Mediterranean
region in combatting crime, but also to stand together, offering comfort,
empathy and compassion to those who need it the most in these difficult
times.
Meetings, such as the one
today, give us the opportunity to meet, face to face, with colleagues, fellow
professionals and experts in the field of criminal justice and international
cooperation. This allows us to create synergies and bedrock foundations for
working relationships to be built upon, based on mutual trust and
understanding.
The Euromed Justice Program,
which is hosted at Eurojust since 2020, holds paramount importance in
fostering collaboration and strengthening the judicial and law enforcement
systems in the European Union and the South Partner Countries of the
Mediterranean region. This Programme serves as a critical bridge between
nations, facilitating cooperation and mutual support in addressing the
complex challenges of modern crime and justice.
The Euromed Justice Program
promotes international partnerships, uniting stakeholders from EU member
states and South Partner Countries. This collaborative framework encourages
the exchange of best practices, knowledge and experiences, enhancing the effectiveness
of criminal justice systems across borders.
Moreover, it addresses pressing
transnational threats, such as organized crime, human trafficking and migrant
smuggling. By pooling together resources and expertise, it equips authorities
with the tools needed to combat these complex issues collectively.
Most importantly, however, the
program upholds the principles of the rule of law and human rights, ensuring
that justice is served, while respecting fundamental values. It aims to
protect the rights of both victims and accused individuals in the pursuit of
justice.
It would be very fair to say
that the Euromed Justice Programme contributes to regional stability and
security. By fostering cooperation and trust among nations, it not only
strengthens legal systems but also promotes peace and stability in the
Mediterranean region and the European Union more generally and is
instrumental in addressing contemporary challenges that transcend borders. It
plays a pivotal role in promoting justice, security and cooperation among
nations, ultimately contributing to a safer and more just society.
All of the above are achieved
through the tools that have been developed, which are at the disposal of the
Euromed Justice Programme. CrimEx is the group of experts on criminal
matters, consisting of judicial professionals in the field of criminal justice,
appointed by their respective countries as members. The Euromed Justice
Network facilitates initial contact between judicial authorities once the
need arises and, last but not least, the Prosecutors General Forum
deliberates, adopts, or endorses strategy and policy documents,
recommendations, opinions and reports proposed by CrimEx.
Addressing the complexities
presented by illegal immigration in the Mediterranean region, both
regionally, and at EU level, is of utmost importance and this is reflected by
the top priority given to this crime type by EU Law and policy makers.
Migrant smuggling is not merely
a regional issue; it is a global concern that demands our immediate
attention, not only for the legal complexities faced by judicial authorities
when investigating such cases, but also due to its humanitarian aspect. The Mediterranean
region, due to its geographical proximity to Africa, the Middle East and
Southern Europe, has been a hotspot for this illicit activity. Migrants,
often driven by the hope for a better life, face perilous journeys across the
sea, with organized criminal groups that make profit out of their
desperation. Tragic incidents, such as boats capsizing leading to loss of
life, remind us of the dire consequences.
Cyprus is a country deeply
affected by this phenomenon, as it has become a hotspot and desired
destination for illegal immigrants seeking asylum and a way into the European
Union. The main reasons for this are the geographical location of Cyprus and
its political situation, which make it an attractive initial landing point
and an easy entry for illegal immigrants into the European Union.
Since the illegal invasion of
Cyprus in 1974 by Turkey and the ongoing occupation of more than 36% of the
island’s territory by the Turkish army, organized criminal networks operating
in the migrant smuggling have been taking advantage of the fragile political
situation.
Organized criminal groups
gather immigrants, from various countries of the Middle East and Africa, into
mainland Turkey, from where they are channelled into the government-controlled
areas of Cyprus. This is achieved by transporting the immigrants, through the
occupied areas and facilitating them to cross the buffer zone into the free
territories of the Republic and then apply for asylum from the authorities of
the Republic of Cyprus.
The obstacles encountered and
the challenges faced by the police and judicial authorities in Cyprus for
combating this crime type are immense. As a consequence, members of the
organized criminal groups responsible for the smuggling of illegal immigrants
evade capture.
Discussions in today’s meeting
will focus on sharing experiences, insights and on proposing solutions to
combat migrant smuggling. Sharing experiences on dealing with different
situations and sharing valuable solutions to problems faced on the legal complexities
that have risen in your investigations of this phenomenon over the years,
will only positively contribute to the strengthening of bonds of
collaboration between our countries, upholding the rule of law and
safeguarding the well-being of the immigrants themselves.
Furthermore, during this
three-day meeting, you will have the opportunity to reflect on the successes
and impact of the Euromed Justice Program over the past four years in your
regions but, more importantly, plan for the future. You will be given the opportunity
to comment on, and contribute with your ideas, to the further development of
the Program and ensure its future success.
I wish you all fruitful
discussions and I am confident in the positive outcomes of the 18th CrimEx
and 2nd EMJNet meeting, ensuring the success and continuation of the program
in the years to come.
(EP/SCH)
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