Category: Cooperation agreement

Source: Eurojust

El 68% de las redes delictivas más peligrosas operan a escala mundial, y el 36% de ellas se dedican al tráfico de drogas, según un informe de Europol. Estas redes blanquean el producto de sus actividades a escala global, y el 32% de ellas lo hace tanto en la Unión Europea -EU- como en el extranjero.

Para desmantelar estas redes es esencial la cooperación internacional. En este sentido, Eurojust apoya a las autoridades nacionales de la UE para que colaboren con terceros países. Los Acuerdos de Trabajo con Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador y Perú, reforzarán la cooperación en la lucha contra la delincuencia organizada y el terrorismo. Un Acuerdo de Trabajo similar fue firmado por Panamá, en enero de 2024, lo que ha contribuido a que las autoridades panameñas incrementaran el uso de las herramientas de cooperación judicial que ofrece Eurojust.

La Estrategia de la UE, para hacer frente a la delincuencia organizada, destaca la importancia de la cooperación más allá de la Unión Europea a través de los mecanismos de Eurojust, con el fin de desarticular las redes delictivas y las rutas de transporte mundiales. En la firma de los acuerdos de trabajo, el Comisario Europeo de Justicia, Didier Reynders, declaró: Hoy abrimos un nuevo capítulo en la cooperación entre la UE y seis socios estratégicos en este ámbito. Partiendo de nuestros valores compartidos y de nuestros intereses estratégicos comunes, podemos dotar a las autoridades judiciales de los instrumentos necesarios para salvaguardar los derechos de nuestros ciudadanos, permitiendo al mismo tiempo una cooperación eficaz “sobre el terreno”. Considero la conclusión de los Acuerdos de Trabajo con Eurojust como un hito en este proceso. Y espero con interés avanzar en nuestra colaboración para construir una respuesta común a la delincuencia organizada.

El presidente de Eurojust, Ladislav Hamran, ha declarado: El tráfico de drogas es la actividad delictiva más lucrativa en la UE, ya que genera un mercado ilícito con unos ingresos anuales de al menos 31.000 millones de euros. Para mitigar y detener el enorme daño a las sociedades y a los individuos tanto en la Unión Europea como en América Latina, nuestra respuesta debe ser eficaz y colaborativa. Es esencial que los fiscales de Europa y América Latina se unan y diseñen estrategias para una cooperación más estrecha, que nos permita no sólo desarticular las redes criminales, sino también exigirles responsabilidades ante los tribunales. Es un honor para mí que Eurojust sirva de plataforma para construir esta arquitectura, y estoy deseando poner en práctica los Acuerdos de Trabajo que Eurojust ha firmado con las autoridades judiciales de Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador y Perú, tras el Acuerdo de Trabajo que firmamos con Panamá en enero de 2024.

Los Acuerdos de Trabajo reforzarán la cooperación en ámbitos delictivos, que afectan tanto a la UE como a los países latinoamericanos, en temas como el tráfico de drogas y armas, el blanqueo de capitales y ciberdelincuencia. Es vital que las autoridades judiciales trabajen juntas para combatir el creciente problema del tráfico de drogas, especialmente mediante el desmantelamiento de las rutas de transporte que mueven grandes cantidades de drogas y que ingresan a la UE a través de los puertos. Con el apoyo de Eurojust, en 2023 se incautaron drogas por valor de 25.600 millones de euros, más del doble que en 2022.

En una declaración conjunta, los fiscales generales de Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panamá y Perú expresaron su preocupación por el impacto de los grupos delictivos organizados en la seguridad, la economía y el bienestar de sus ciudadanos. Para fortalecer la respuesta judicial conjunta a la delincuencia organizada, se han comprometido a aplicar los acuerdos de trabajo con el apoyo crucial de EL PACCTO 2.0, el Programa de Cooperación de la UE destinado a reforzar la asociación UE-ALC en los ámbitos de la justicia y la seguridad, para luchar contra la delincuencia organizada transnacional. Los acuerdos de trabajo reflejan el compromiso de ambas regiones para hacer frente a los retos que plantean las redes delictivas que operan a través de las fronteras. Los fiscales generales también trabajarán en la celebración de acuerdos internacionales con Eurojust, lo que representa el siguiente paso en el proceso de cooperación.

Puede encontrar más información sobre la cooperación internacional de Eurojust en:

Las preguntas frecuentes sobre acuerdos de trabajo.

Los videos disponibles en el canal YouTube de Eurojust, de las declaraciones de los fiscales generales de Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panamá y Perú, junto a las declaraciones del presidente de Eurojust.

Source: Eurojust

68% of the most threatening criminal networks operate globally, with 36% of these networks engaged in drug trafficking, according to a report from Europol. These networks launder the proceeds from their activities on a global scale, with 32% of networks laundering money in both the EU and abroad.

To dismantle these networks, international cooperation is essential. Eurojust supports national authorities in the EU to work together with third countries. The Working Arrangements with Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru will strengthen cooperation in the fight against organised crime and terrorism. A similar Working Arrangement with Panama, signed in January 2024, has already increased the use of Eurojust’s judicial cooperation tools by Panamanian authorities.

The EU Strategy to tackle Organised Crime highlights the importance of Eurojust’s cooperation beyond the European Union to disrupt global criminal networks and transport routes. At the signing of the working arrangements, European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, stated: Today, we open a new chapter in the cooperation between the EU and six strategic partners in this field. By building on our shared values and common strategic interests, we can equip judicial authorities with the necessary instruments for safeguarding the rights of our citizens while enabling effective cooperation “on the ground”. I regard the conclusion of Working Arrangements with Eurojust as a milestone in this process. And I look forward to advancing our joint work to build a common response to organised crime.

Eurojust president Ladislav Hamran said: Drug trafficking is the most lucrative criminal activity in the EU, creating illicit market with yearly earnings of at least 31 billion euros. To mitigate and halt the enormous harm to societies and individuals in both the European Union and Latin America, our response needs to be effective and collaborative. It is essential for prosecutors from Europe and Latin America to unite and devise strategies for closer cooperation, enabling us to not only disrupt criminal networks but also hold them accountable in court. I am honoured for Eurojust to serve as a platform to build this architecture, and I look forward to putting in practice the Working Arrangements Eurojust is signing with the prosecution authorities from Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru following the Working Arrangement we signed with Panama in January 2024.

The Working Arrangements will strengthen cooperation in crime areas that affect both the EU and Latin American countries, such as drug and arms trafficking, money laundering and cybercrime. It is vital that judicial authorities work together to combat the growing problem of drug trafficking, especially by dismantling the transport routes that allow large quantities of drugs to enter the EU via its ports. With the support of Eurojust, EUR 25.6 billion worth of drugs were seized in 2023, more than double the amount of 2022.

In a joint declaration, the prosecutors generals from Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Peru, expressed their concern about the impact of organised criminal groups on the security, economy and well-being of their citizens. To strengthen the joint judicial response to organised crime, they are committed to implementing the working arrangements with the crucial support of the EL PACCTO 2.0, the EU cooperation programme aimed to strengthen the EU-LAC partnership in the fields of justice and security to combat transnational organized crime. The working arrangements reflects the commitment of both regions to address the challenges posed by criminal networks that operate across borders.

The prosecutors generals will also work towards the conclusion of International Agreements with Eurojust, representing the next step in the cooperation process.

More information on Eurojust’s international cooperation can be found in the FAQ on third countries. Video statements by the prosecutors generals of Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Peru, as well as the Eurojust president, can be found on YouTube.

Source: Eurojust

Eurojust President Mr Ladislav Hamran said: With Panama’s rich tradition as a bridge maker between continents in mind, I am delighted to sign into effect the Working Arrangement that will bring closer the European and Panamanian communities of prosecutors and judges. We share a similar criminal threat picture on both sides of the Atlantic as well as the resolve to intensify our joint judicial response. Eurojust therefore looks forward to engaging with colleagues in Panama; for instance, in the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking.

Mr Javier E. Caraballo Salazar, Attorney General of Panama, stated: The effective fight against organised crime requires an increase in international cooperation, shared experiences, the development of joint investigations, the exchange of information and best practices, as well as direct, frank and trustworthy communication between justice officials. Eurojust is an international source of reference for this close collaboration in the fight against serious cross-border organised crime, which is why working jointly with Eurojust to disband criminal groups with ties to Panama and Europe is to vital to the Office of the Attorney General of Panama.

During his visit to Eurojust, Mr Caraballo Salazar was accompanied by H.E. Elizabeth Ward Neiman, Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the International Organisations in The Hague.

The visit also included bilateral meetings with several Desks at Eurojust to discuss operational cooperation in various crime areas.

As the main link between North and South America, Panama remains a very important partner in the fight against serious cross-border crime, with a focus on areas such as money laundering, trafficking of human beings and drug trafficking. The Working Arrangement Agreement, which enters into force today, includes arrangements for the exchange of strategic information and communication with the Contact Point, as well as data protection provisions.

In August 2022, Eurojust signed a Working Arrangement with the Ibero-American Association of Public Prosecutors. The purpose of this working arrangement is to encourage and develop cooperation between the parties in the fight against serious crime affecting the European Union and Latin America, particularly transnational organised crime, drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings, cybercrime and terrorism.

Eurojust cooperation with third countries

Working Arrangements are only one of the tools of Eurojust’s international cooperation.

Eurojust is actively connected with over 70 jurisdictions worldwide through its Contact Point network. These connections enable prosecutors from Member States to establish quick contact and liaise with their counterparts in a third country when a crime extends beyond the European Union’s borders.

Agreements on cooperation enable Eurojust to consolidate its partnerships with third countries and international organisations, bringing them and Member States closer together in the fight against serious cross-border crime.

An overview of Eurojust’s cooperation with third countries can be found here.