Brussel wil Europees misdaadorgaan versterken (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Brussels has confirmed it is set to table next year a piece of legislation giving more powers to Eurojust i, the EU's judicial body, in the fight against cross-border organized crime.

On Tuesday (23 October), the European Commission i adopted a paper, seen as a first step in a lengthy legislative process.

"Improvements are needed in order to provide Eurojust with more powers necessary to fulfil its tasks and act more effectively in the fight against organized crime and terrorism", EU home affairs commissioner Franco Frattini i said, following the executive body's decision.

A concrete legislative proposal will be put forward in 2008.

According to the commission paper, Brussels will suggest increasing as well as harmonizing powers of member states' representatives in Eurojust - something that varies widely at the moment.

All national members should have the same, minimum set of powers and a minimum three-year-long, renewable mandate. In addition, they should have automatic access to national databases on terrorist cases, criminal records, DNA or national prison records.

"I believe that aligning these powers is necessary to guarantee continuity and to ensure that Eurojust can work as efficient as possible", Mr Frattini said.

Currently, the Hague-based network of national prosecutors, judges and police officers serves as a helping hand to member states when dealing with serious cross-border crime such as crimes against property, money laundering, drugs trafficking, fraud and trafficking in human beings.

The team, however, is highly dependent on the EU capitals' goodwill to cooperate and the list of responsibilities they allow their representatives in Eurojust.

"The fight against transnational organized crime and terrorism cannot be fought by the member states individually", Mr Frattini said in defence of his ambitions.

The number of reported cross-border incidents has been gradually rising since the legal structure was set up five years ago. While in 2006, 771 cases were registered, this year, Eurojust expects to deal with up to 1,000 criminal cases - representing an annual increase of 29 percent.

A European Public Prosecutor

Eurojust is widely seen as the cornerstone for a single European prosecution office, which would have powers to initiate and proceed with the investigation of serious cross-border crimes.

Commissioner Frattini said that "it is too early to discuss the possible development". "At this moment, I would rather focus on the short and mid term possibilities for strengthening Eurojust", he added.

On the other hand, Brussels has indicated the idea could be a part of "long term perspectives" - in line with the new EU treaty.

The commission paper suggests "strengthen[ing] powers of national members" as well as reinforcing the power of the Eurojust college as a whole.

In particular, it lists initiating criminal procedures in the home state of the national member: setting up and participating in joint investigation teams and executing specific investigative measures.

Similarly, the Eurojust college should be able to decide on conflicts of jurisdiction and conflicts in the area of application, to initiate an investigation in a member state and suggest prosecution on its territory and to initiate a European investigation, in particular regarding crime against the financial interest of the union.

The idea is likely to meet resistance in several EU capitals.