The Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe member states will meet on Friday 19 September in Valletta (Malta) in the framework of an informal conference on cross-border cooperation and mutual assistance. On the occasion of the meeting, organised under the Malta Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, an additional protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters will be opened for signature.
Ministers will explore how to strengthen international cooperation in order to effectively combat transnational organised crime. The conference will also offer a forum to exchange best practices, share national experiences, identify practical avenues and strengthen coordinated responses to transnational threats and crimes. Particular attention will be paid to the role of technology and digitalisation in strengthening cross-border cooperation, thus ensuring that the legal framework remains relevant when facing technological evolution.
Prior to the meeting, the Third Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters will be opened for signature, which modernises mutual assistance procedures, introduces new types of requests and facilitates cross-border cooperation, making it faster, more efficient and adaptable to today’s needs. The 1959 Convention, together with its Protocols, remains a cornerstone of international cooperation in combating crime.
The conference will be opened by Jonathan Attard, Minister of Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector of Malta, and Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Practical information
The conference will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre (Old Hospital Street).
The signing ceremony of the Protocol (9.30-10 am.), the opening (10-10.15 am.) and closing (5.15-5.30 pm) sessions will be open to media. Media coverage of the sessions will be facilitated from a designated media room.
A declaration will be adopted at the end of the meeting, approx. 5.30 pm.
More information on the Protocol: Council of Europe modernises provisions for mutual assistance in criminal matters
