EU/Iceland/Norway agreement: surrender procedure

PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the EU and Iceland and Norway on the surrender procedure between the Member States of the EU and Iceland and Norway.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2014/835/EU on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway on the surrender procedure between the Member States of the European Union and Iceland and Norway.

BACKGROUND: in accordance with Council Decision 2006/697/EC, the Agreement between the European Union and Iceland and Norway on the surrender procedure between the Member States of the European Union and Iceland and Norway was signed on 28 June 2006, subject to its conclusion.

The Agreement has not yet been concluded. With the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, the procedures to be followed by the Union in order to conclude the Agreement are governed by Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

The Agreement should now be approved on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: with this Decision, the Agreement between the European Union and Iceland and Norway on the surrender procedure between the Member States of the European Union and Iceland and Norway is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

Principles: in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement, the contracting parties will ensure that the extradition system will be based on a mechanism of surrender pursuant to an arrest warrant. An arrest warrant may be issued for acts punishable by the law of the issuing state by a custodial sentence or a detention order for a maximum period of at least 12 months or, where a sentence has been passed or a detention order has been made, for sentences of at least four months

Territorial application: the United Kingdom and Ireland have notified their wish to take part in the adoption of this Decision. Denmark will not be taking part in the adoption of this Decision and therefore is not bound by the Agreement or subject to its application.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision shall enter into force on 27.11.2014. The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council.