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Heroin and other Opioids Flood EU Drug Market
The threat posed by heroin and other opioids to the EU are analysed in a report published by Europol and the EMCDDA on 24 January 2024. According to the report, opioid use remains a major part of the drug problem in Europe. While heroin is … Read more
Cornelia Riehle LL.M.
EU
Europol
Organised Crime
Enhancing Schengen Security: Commission's Recommendation
On 17 January 2024, Commission Recommendation (EU) 2024/268 on cooperation between the Member States with regard to serious threats to internal security and public policy in the area without internal border controls was published in the Official Journal (2024/268). The recommendation advocates for a collaborative … Read more
Dr. Anna Pingen
EU
Schengen
Commission
Law Enforcement Cooperation
Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen Area
On 30 December 2023, the Council reached a unanimous decision with Bulgaria and Romania to eliminate air and maritime internal border controls as of 31 March 2024, marking their partial integration into the Schengen area. Read more
EU
Schengen
Threats to Key Freedoms: New EP Report on Situation of Fundamental Rights in the EU
The EP's annual fundamental rights report for 2022-2023 finds threats to key freedoms and EU values, notably media freedom, corruption and individual liberties. Specific recommendations were made for Hungary, Poland, Greece, Cyprus, and Spain. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
European Parliament
Racism and Xenophobia
Deal on EU Budget Increase
In February 2024, the European Parliament and the Council gave green light to three legislative acts that reinforce the EU long-term budget and provide additional funding in order to react to new challenges, such as Russia’s war against Ukraine. The acts include a regulation amending … Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
Protection of Financial Interests
Spotlight Generative AI and Copyright Law
Eurojust's report on "Generative Artificial Intelligence - The impact on intellectual property crimes" looks at how criminals utilise generative AI to violate various intellectual property rights. It gives insights into modi operandi, examines ongoing cases and outlines attempts to regulate the use of generative AI in the field of intellectual property. Read more
EU
Eurojust
Counterfeiting & Piracy
2024 Evaluation of Frontex Regulation
On 2 February 2024, the Commission adopted the evaluation of Regulation (EU)2019/1896 on the European Border and Coast Guard. It assessed the impact, effectiveness, and efficiency of Frontex together with an Action Plan to support its implementation.Overall, the evaluation concludes that Frontex has significantly … Read more
Frontex
First-Time Eurojust Support for EPPO Investigation
On 29 February 2024, Eurojust reported that, for the first time, the Agency supported an investigation led by the EPPO against a large-scale cross-border missing trader intra-community fraud. The scheme involved trade in electronic goods and protective face masks via companies based in several European … Read more
EU
Eurojust
European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO)
Spotlight ECJ: EAW Must in Principle Also Be Executed against a Mother of Young Children
On 21 December 2023, the ECJ, sitting in for the Grand Chamber, ruled in Case C-261/22 (GN) that the surrender of a person requested by a European Arrest Warrant cannot be refused on the sole ground that she is the mother of young children. Thus, the ECJ reaffirmed its case law on the protection of fundamental rights in the context of Framework Decision 2002/584 on the European arrest warrant. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
European Arrest Warrant
High Level Group on Data Access Criticised
An open letter of 10 January 2024, signed by 21 digital rights and civil society organisations, criticised the current working arrangements of the High Level Group on Access to Data for Effective Law Enforcement (HLEG). It calls on the HLEG to ensure transparency, participation, … Read more
EU
Law Enforcement Cooperation
Police Cooperation
Frontex Signs Joint Statement with Europol
On 31 January 2024, Frontex and Europol signed a joint statement to further enhance their cooperation, particularly in the fields of combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking. Read more
EU
Europol
Frontex
Frontex 2023 in Brief
On 16 February 2024, Frontex presented the highlights of 2023 and the main operational achievements in the form of its digital leaflet "2023 in brief". Looking back to 2023, Frontex main achievements include the following:Employed 2500 EU border guards on average each … Read more
EU
Frontex
Working Agreement between Frontex and EUAM
On 19 February 2024, Frontex and the European Union Advisory Mission Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine) signed a working agreement to strengthen their cooperation in combating cross-border crime and dealing with irregular migration at the EU’s eastern borders. The agreement is another step towards enhanced … Read more
EU
Ukraine conflict
Frontex
Eurojust Working Arrangement with Panama
On 12 January 2024, Eurojust and the Republic of Panama signed a Working Arrangement to step up their cooperation against organised crime. Under the agreement, both parties shall develop and encourage strategic cooperation to combat serious and organised crime and terrorism. In addition, the functions … Read more
Eurojust
EP Resolution on Rule of Law and Media Freedom in Greece
In a resolution adopted on 7 February 2024, the European Parliament (EP) voiced profound concerns over the decline in the rule of law and democratic norms in Greece, in particular as regards corruption, media freedom, and judicial independence.Looking at corruption issues, the resolution refers … Read more
EU
Rule of Law
European Parliament
Poland Joins the EPPO
On 29 February 2024, the European Commission confirmed Poland's participation in the enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the EPPO (COM Decision (EU) 2024/807). The Decision entered into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. Poland notified … Read more
EU
European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO)