Organised by the EuroMed Justice project together with the Eurojust Focus Group for Prosecutors on Migrant Smuggling, an operational meeting was held on 16-17 September in Crete, Greece, under the framework of the Technical Assistance Facility (TAF). The meeting aimed to enhance judicial cooperation between selected EU Member States and South Partner Countries (SPCs
) in the fight against migrant smuggling.
Combating migrant smuggling is a key priority for the European Union and for SPCs in response to the rising number of incidents in the Mediterranean and other regions. The intricate and often international nature of these cases, which can involve multiple organised crime groups transporting individuals by land, air, or sea, underscores the need for close cooperation and collaboration to disrupt and dismantle these networks.
This meeting brought together 16 participants from Europe and SPCs, including Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, and Palestine[1]. It featured a roundtable discussion on the challenges faced by different jurisdictions in migrant smuggling cases, as well as breakout groups to discuss best practices and share experiences. Participants also benefited from a presentation of a representative from Europol’s Migrant Smuggling Centre.
The meeting aimed to strengthen links and operational cooperation between specialised prosecutors, increase mutual trust, and raise awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by different jurisdictions. Additionally, participants established direct contacts, which is crucial in fighting migrant smuggling, a major challenge for many EU Member States and SPCs. The meeting concluded with a visit to the local judicial authorities, further solidifying the exchanges between the participating countries.
[1] This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue,