Justice Minister Athanasiou: Progress achieved, but efforts will continue

The progress achieved so far by the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU in the field of Justice was presented on 1 April by the Minister of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights Charalampos Athanasiou to the JURI (Legal Affairs) and LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs) Committees of the European Parliament (EP). “The Greek Presidency coincides with the European elections. However, we will not reduce our efforts on the proposed legislative measures , Mr. Athanasiou underlined.

LIBE Committee

Counterfeiting

Speaking to the LIBE Committee, Mr. Athanasiou referred to the political agreement reached by the Greek Presidency in negotiations with the European Parliament. According to the Minister of Justice “the Directive strengthens the protection of the Euro and other currencies against counterfeiting and mitigates the risk of ‘forum shopping’ .

Future Development of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) area

Minister Athanasiou elaborated on the decisive steps taken on the future of the JHA area: “We are now able to outline the main ideas and proposals of the Member States on the post-Stockholm period .

Data Protection

“Over the past two years, no other legislative file in the Justice and Home Affairs area has been discussed so intensively in the Council as this one. Unfortunately, the Council has not achieved the progress anticipated. Nonetheless, the Greek Presidency will make every effort to conclude discussions at Council level , Minister Athanasiou said.

US surveillance programmes

Mr. Athanasiou congratulated rapporteur Claude Moraes and the LIBE Committee for their enquiry into US mass surveillance programmes. “Member States support the need for equal treatment between EU residents and US persons and for recognition of enforceable privacy rights for EU residents on the same footing as US persons , the Minister stressed.

European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO)

“There are quite a number of political and technical issues that need to be analysed further, such as the structure and competence of the new Office. The Presidency considers revising the Commission's proposal in order to take into account both the discussions in the Council and the positions expressed by the EP and national parliaments , Minister Athanasiou said.

Procedural safeguards for Children

Minister Athanasiou referred to the guidelines set at the JHA Council in March and expressed his optimism that the Council will be able to reach a general approach on the proposed Directive in June.

EU anti-corruption report 2014

Mr. Athanasiou welcomed, on behalf of the Council, the recent EU anti-corruption report: “It is a valuable tool to consolidate anti-corruption efforts and promote high anti-corruption standards across the EU .

JURI Committee

“Brussels I  Regulation and European Account Preservation Order

Speaking to the JURI Committee, Minister Athanasiou referred to the agreement achieved by the Presidency with the European Parliament on both proposals. “Amending ‘Brussels I’ Regulation is a major step forward to implementing the Unified Patent Court. On the other hand, the European Account Preservation Order will facilitate cross-border debt recovery for both citizens and businesses , he added.

Insolvency

Amending Regulation (EC) No 1346/2000 on insolvency proceedings constitutes a major priority for the Presidency in the area of Justice. “We are continuing efforts to bring negotiations to a successful result as expeditiously as possible , said Mr. Athanasiou.

European Sales Law

Regarding the Common European Sales Law, the Presidency takes into consideration the recent vote of the EP that led to a change in the scope of the draft Regulation to distance contracts and intends to continue its work, in order to contribute to further negotiations on the proposal.

Background

Counterfeiting- The new Directive addresses the weaknesses of the existing legal framework and constitutes a better basis to prevent, investigate and sanction euro-counterfeiting in a consistent manner throughout the EU.

Future Development of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) area- The Stockholm Programme for Justice and Home Affairs defined the development of the area of Freedom, Security and Justice for the years 2010-2014. The Greek Presidency pursues efforts performed under the Lithuanian Presidency, in order to prepare a substantial contribution to the draft Strategic Guidelines that the European Council should discuss and adopt in June 2014.

Data Protection Package (Regulation and Directive) - These measures are aimed at ensuring that citizens have control over their personal data, strengthening confidence in the digital economy and supporting the growth of the Digital Single Market.

European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO)- The Regulation introduces for the first time an entity which will have the powers and the resources necessary to investigate, prosecute and bring to courts cases of fraud and other illegal activities affecting the financial interests of the Union, whether national or cross-border.

Procedural safeguards for Children- The Directive aims at ensuring that children are able to understand and follow the criminal proceedings to which they are subject, and that they can exercise their right to a fair trial.

“Brussels I  Regulation- The recently amended Regulation on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters clarifies the operation of the rules on jurisdiction with respect to the Unified Patent Court and the Benelux Court of Justice.

European Account Preservation Order- The Regulation facilitates the recovery of cross-border claims for citizens and businesses, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and improves the efficiency of enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters concerning cross-border disputes.

Insolvency- The measure is aimed at modernising the EU’s insolvency rules, facilitating the survival and recovery of viable businesses and presenting a second chance for honest entrepreneurs.

European Sales Law- This measure will give businesses and consumers the choice of using a single set of rules for their cross-border contracts when offering goods across the European Union.