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Scotland hosts Eurojust seminar
09/12/2002
Prosecutors from across Europe today come together in Scotland with other criminal justice agencies to share experience and best practice in the fight against international crime.
Representatives from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland, the Scottish Drugs Enforcement Agency and Customs and Excise will hold a joint seminar with European prosecutors to discuss better co-operation and co-ordination between Scotland and Europe over serious crime.
Speakers at the event, to be held in Tulliallan Police College, include Mike Kennedy, president of Eurojust, an EU-wide organisation comprising of prosecutors, magistrates and judge who work together to develop and encourage practical co-operation.
Eurojust colleagues from Sweden and the Netherlands will also contribute to the event.
The Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC will welcome participants to the event, saying:
"International crime is an increasing phenomenon of our time and it is crucial that the international justice system develops accordingly. Events like this promote the level of co-operation and understanding needed to deal with both the crimes and criminals that cross borders."
This seminar follows the Lord Advocate's announcement last month that a prosecutor from Scotland would join the Eurojust team.
Ann Den Bieman, an experienced prosecutor with the COPFS, has been seconded to Eurojust as one of three UK representatives.
Eurojust was established in its permanent form on March 6, 2002. It will operate from Le Hague from December 10, 2002.
The COPFS currently has an experienced Principal Procurator Fiscal Depute who is fluent in Italian serving as a liaison magistrate in Rome.