Filenews 23 January 2026
With an emphasis on the recovery of assets from criminal activities, the return of illegally trafficked cultural goods and the alternative treatment of young drug users, the work of the Informal Council of Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs of the EU, in the framework of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, began on Friday in Nicosia.
Speaking at the beginning of the meeting, the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kostas Fytiris, said that the first issue concerns the strengthening of the possibility of recovering assets that are the product of illegal activities in an ever-evolving economic environment.
He added that a discussion will follow on the issue of restoring justice in cases of illegal cross-border trade in cultural goods and in particular on the issues of returning cultural goods that have been illegally moved. As he noted, the work will be completed with a working lunch dedicated to promoting alternative treatment of young drug users who are in contact with the criminal justice system.
In their statements upon arrival at the meeting, European Ministers emphasized the link between organized crime and drugs, the digital environment and violence.
Estonia's Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, said that "we consider it very important that the European Union joins forces to control the digital space", pointing out that young people use digital platforms to access drugs. Referring to the issue of cultural heritage, she stressed that "we need a unified action to return cultural heritage to the countries where it belongs and is part of their identity". He referred to the example of part of Estonia's cultural heritage held by Russia since World War II and during the Russian occupation. He also said that the same is happening in Ukraine.
For her part, the Minister of Justice of Belgium, Annelies Verlinden, thanked the Cyprus Presidency for highlighting the very topical issue of the fight against drug trafficking and use, stressing that "we are seeing an increase in violence and the participation of more and more young people in the networks of drug traffickers". He also underlined that it is estimated that €188 billion, only 2% of illegal profits, are confiscated, noting the need for the EU to target the value and money of criminal networks in order to break their business model.
The Spanish Minister of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Parliament, Félix Bolaños, also spoke at the meeting, who expressed his satisfaction for his participation in the informal session in Cyprus and thanked the Cypriot authorities for the hospitality.
At the same time, he expressed the condolences of the Spanish Government for the victims of the train accident in Adamuz, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. He added that efforts to investigate the causes and restore services continue.
CNA
