Following the adoption of a new declaration designed to improve cooperation in cross-border crime, Secretary General Alain Berset stated that "Organised crime exploits digital technology and knows no borders - no country can fight it alone. Only strong international cooperation can stop it. The Council of Europe is leading the way by adapting legal standards to today's challenges and uniting countries in the fight against crime in the digital age".
At a meeting held earlier under the Maltese Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, the Justice Ministers of the Council of Europe member states adopted the declaration, while a new additional protocol to the Convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters was also opened for signature.
Technology in the struggle against organised crime
Through this new protocol, known as the Valletta Protocol, the Council of Europe looks to plug the legal and procedural gaps in the earlier convention of 1959, while adapting cooperation mechanisms to meet the evolving challenges of justice and security. The 16 signatory states so far are Belgium, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
In addition, the ministers will look to integrate digital tools that enhance the speed, security and accessibility of cooperation procedures. One of the key measures proposed in the protocol is wider use of electronic means of communication and video conferencing for hearing evidence from victims and experts.
The ministers also encouraged the development and adoption of common standards for the responsible and secure use of digital tools in the fight against transnational crime. In this context, they highlighted the importance of ensuring that digitalisation and the use of electronic means respect international human rights standards, including the right to a fair trial, data protection and procedural safeguards.
Countries envision further cooperation measures
Continued judicial dialogue, the promotion of mutual trust, the exchange of best practices across borders and training are all essential to enhancing cooperation and building effective partnerships. Improved cooperation between national central authorities, prosecutors and courts is also needed to effectively implement mutual legal assistance instruments, especially in investigating, prosecuting, adjudicating and preventing serious crimes.
Stronger cooperation among states and with other international and regional organisations to advance global efforts against transnational and organised crime will be part of European countries' aims. They highlighted the Council of Europe's Conventions' global relevance and reach in areas such as mutual legal assistance, extradition, cybercrime, money laundering, terrorism financing, trafficking in human beings, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children.
Lastly, the ministers emphasised that the principles of mutual assistance, reciprocity and respect for human rights, under national, European and international standards and rules, including the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights remain central to enhancing cross-border cooperation in criminal matters.
Malta's Presidency of the Committee of Ministers
