Justice EU ministers discuss cooperation on crime and divorce 25/07/08 19:43 CET

Europe’s justice ministers have been meeting in Brussels to find better ways to tackle organised crime.

They are strengthening Eurojust, which aims to improve police access to criminal records across all EU member states.

At the summit French Justice Rachida Dati said:

“It has only taken six months to get this political agreement on strengthening Eurojust’s powers. What does it consist of? First, to help with the transfer of information between countries and member states of Eurojust, and to make the transfer of information obligatory when there is a file between at least 3 member states. Also, it will aid the justice network and Europe’s penal system.”

At the other end of the scale, Ministers from nine member states are also set to agree on how to make divorce easier.

At present, couples of different nationality cannot divorce without the approval of both member states.

Better co-operation on divorce is seen as a way of avoiding paralysis between EU countries. Some believe it could also be a solution to Ireland’s recent NO over the Lisbon treaty.

But critics, are fearful it will set a precedent, leading to a two speed Europe.